Pilot Performance during Flight Simulation with Peripherally Presented Visual Signals

Abstract

The increasing complexity of modern aircraft systems places a substantial information processing load on the pilot. This complexity has created a need for alternative methods of non-obtrusive instrument displays. Recent studies indicate dual, independent systems for focal and peripheral vision. In view of non-conscience processing by the far periphery, it follows that the far peripheral visual field would be a possible location for alternate instrument displays.

This report is a culmination of two experiments, involving 48 male pilot trainees, that investigated the effectiveness of 3 types of instrument displays during flight in a GAT-1 simulator. Both experiments showed that there was no decrement in pilot performance during a complex instrument maneuver, involving normal and peripheral displays. Subjects were less prone to deviate from a given compass heading using the peripheral display (P < .001). A secondary task (digit canceling) used to simulate secondary tasks involved in actual flight also did not diminish performance across displays. These results are consistent with a dual theory of visual processing and the notion of non-obtrusive prompting.