An Investigation of Pictorial and Symbolic Aircraft Displays for Landing

Abstract

Each of four different approach to landing displays was flown by a different group of four male instrument pilots. A pictorial approach “gate” symbology with perspective runway was compared to an electronic ILS-type display. Best performance overall was achieved with the combination of both these displays. No reliable lateral performance difference was found among displays but the variability tended to be less for displays with the perspective runway, especially close to the threshold. The vertical performance, however, was best on those displays that contained the vertical deviation scale and pointer irrespective of the presence of the runway. It was concluded that the pictorial information is of benefit in stabilizing lateral control, but the approach gates as used in the study did not, by themselves provide adequate guidance cues for precise vertical control.