Effect of Terrain Shape and Object Grouping on Detection of Altitude Change in a Flight Simulator

Abstract

Multidimensional scaling (MDS) analyses of flight simulator visual scenes reveal that both the shape of the terrain surface as well as the spatial distribution of objects on the terrain are salient to pilots flying at low altitudes. MDS is based upon similarity ratings and it was deemed important to verify the relevance of these scene properties using a performance based task in a flight simulator. The task was an ascent/descent discrimination task similar to that used in other flight simulation research. Terrain shape and elements on the terrain (texture and objects) were factorially manipulated. Presence of hills as well as the spatial organization of objects on the terrain affected performance in some conditions. A positive effect of hills is noteworthy because hills did not extend above the horizon and therefore posed no vertical obstructions. Thus, they provide relevant information for perceiving altitude change apart from the role they may play in obstructing vision or navigation.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

162d Tactical Fighter Group. (1986). Academic Text: Low-altitude training. Tucson, AZ: Author.

Barfield

Rosenberg

Kraft

(1989). The effects of visual cues to realism and perceived impact point during final approach. Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 33rd Annual Meeting (pp. 115–119). Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

Buckland

G. H.

Edwards

B. J.

Stephens

C. W.

(1981). Flight simulator visual and instructional features for terrain flight simulation. Proceedings of the Image Generation/Display Conference II (pp. 351–362). Phoenix, AZ.

DeMaio

Rinalducci

E. J.

Brooks

Brunderman

(1983). Visual cueing effectiveness: Comparison of perception and flying performance. Proceedings of the Fifth Annual Interservice/Industry Training Equipment Conference (pp. 92–96). Washington, DC: Department of Defense.

Kleiss

J. A.

(1991). Multidimensional scaling analysis of terrain features relevant for simulating low-altitude flight. Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 35th Annual Meeting (1372–1376). Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

Kleiss

J. A.

(1993). Properties of computer-generated scenes important for simulating low-altitude flight. Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 37th Annual Meeting (98–102). Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

Kleiss

J. A.

Hubbard

D. C.

(1991). Effect of two types of scene detail on detection of altitude change in a flight simulator (AL-TR-1991-0043). Williams AFB, AZ: Armstrong Laboratory: Aircrew Training Research Division.

Kleiss

J. A.

Hubbard

D. C.

(1993). Effect of three types of flight simulator visual scene detail on detection of altitude change. Human Factors, 35, 653–671.

Martin

E. L.

Rinalducci

E. J.

(1983). Low-level flight simulation: Vertical cues (AFHRL-TR-83-17, AD-A133 612). Williams AFB, AZ: Operations Training Division, Air Force Human Resources Laboratory.

10.

Padmos

Milders

M. V.

(1992). Quality criteria for simulator images: A literature review. Human Factors, 34, 727–748.

11.

Wolpert

(1988). The active control of altitude over differing texture. Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 32nd Annual Meeting (pp. 15–19). Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors Society.