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Abstract

Displays augmented with Synthetic Vision System (SVS) technologies are being examined as a means to reduce the potential for low visibility aviation incidents and accidents. A study was conducted at NASA Langley Research Center to examine how display integration in candidate SVS display layouts affect flight performance and subjective mental workload. Display layout (integrated/ less integrated), display view (SVS/ Traditional), and workload (high/low) were manipulated in a within subjects design resulting in eight possible display configurations. Sixteen commercial pilots flew multiple approaches under simulated IMC conditions in a fixed-base flight simulator. As expected, the more integrated display layout facilitated superior performance on an integrated flight task. Displays augmented with SVS technology produced better flight performance independent of the amount of workload imposed on the pilot. Subjective workload was also affected by display integration such that less workload was reported for the more integrated display. Implications for this research are addressed and future avenues for research along this line are suggested.

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Investigating Display Integration in Candidate Synthetic Vision System Displays

Abstract

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