Abstract
The present experiment was designed to examine the effect of display size on distance estimates used for flight control and in assessing risk for route selection. Sixteen pilots were asked to select and fly along a route using integrated hazard and primary flight displays. Display size was manipulated by altering the physical size of a two-dimensional display and through axis compression in a three-dimensional display. Display minification resulted in poorer flight control. When the display was enlarged, pilots were found to overestimate the distance from the flight path to impending hazards and subsequently choose riskier routes. Pilots also exhibited greater confidence in their route choices with the large display, even though their choices were more dangerous. Results suggest that display size must be considered when designing displays for spatial tasks.
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