Effects of a Virtual Air Speed Error Indicator on Guidance Accuracy and Eye Movement Control during Simulated Flight

Abstract

We examined whether flight-control performance might be improved by presenting airspeed information to peripheral areas of the visual field using virtual head-up displays (HUDs), and whether participants process these displays using peripheral, rather than central, vision. We found that, compared to a standard HUD speed indicator, a peripherally located virtual speed indicator produced superior altitude control and equivalent or better speed control. Participants' gaze dwell times were more concentrated on flight-path and altitude control information as compared to speed information for the virtual HUD speed indicator. Gaze patterns showed that participants processed the virtual speed indicator with peripheral vision while they needed to directly fixate the traditional military standard HUD speed indicator in central vision. We believe the virtual display allowed participants to acquire speed information in a manner consistent with naturally-evolved orienting processes and therefore reduced central visual field load, attentional demand, and overall mental workload, freeing resources for better flight-path control.