Trajectory Based Operations and the Legacy Flight Deck: Envisioning Design Enhancements for the Flight Crew
-
2012-01-13
Details:
-
Creators:
-
Corporate Creators:
-
Corporate Contributors:
-
Subject/TRT Terms:
-
Resource Type:
-
Geographical Coverage:
-
Edition:Final Report
-
Contracting Officer:
-
Corporate Publisher:
-
Abstract:This study addresses the gap in scientific information at the intersection of Trajectory-Based Operations (TBO), realistic flight deck – pilot tasking environments, and human performance assessment. The study explored pilot performance, pain points, and system improvements in a human-in-the-loop heuristic evaluation of prototype displays for selected Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) TBO scenarios. Legacy flight deck systems represent the baseline for innovation of TBO concepts. Because “clean sheet” design of both the NAS and the flight deck is seldom possible, designing human-centered “NowGen” interventions for existing systems is a prudent way to evolve toward NextGen. Study Approach: Three legacy and current generation interfaces were adapted using human-centered design heuristics to support Four-dimensional (4D) RTA-TBO, including a Multifunction Control Display Unit (MCDU), an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB), and an integrated Graphical Flight Planning (GFP) system. Seven airline, corporate, and technical pilots evaluated the interfaces in scenarios using different flight phases, weather, and NAS/Air Traffic Control (ATC) conditions. We obtained feedback from pilots on how well the prototyped interfaces supported pilot decision making, how easy they were to learn, their effect on self-reported workload, and the way in which the information was presented. Results: Evaluation participants responded favorably to the MCDU and integrated GFP RTA-prototypes, while the EFB prototype received less favorable feedback. However, the data collected in this study must be considered preliminary, until we have completed more rigorous human factors evaluation and objective pilot performance measurements. The report concludes with our recommendations for further work to develop and refine recommendations for TBO flight deck design requirements and guidance, including refinement and evaluation of EFB design that could support legacy aircraft participation in TBO.
-
Format:
-
Funding:
-
Collection(s):
-
Main Document Checksum:
-
File Type:
Supporting Files
-
No Additional Files
More +