Subjective Estimates of Velocity,Distance and Time: Implications in Helicopter Navigation

Abstract

This study assessed the sorts of biases induced in a pilot's estimates of velocity, elapsed time, and distance traveled in a flight simulation environment. The validity of an “internal equation” relating the concepts of subjective distance, velocity, and time was assessed. Pilots flew a series of flight legs which varied in their distance, time and velocity, during which they were asked to make judgments of time passage (group 1), speed (group 2), and distance traveled (group 3). These judgments were made under both single and dual task conditions. There was little consistent effect of task loading on any of the subjective estimates, but variations in interval duration, speed, and distance effected the subjective estimates of these quantities in different ways. There was no evidence found for support of an internal equation.

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