Details:

Creators:
Osborne, D.W. ; Huntley, M. Stephen, Jr.
Osborne, D.W. ; Huntley, M. Stephen, Jr. Less -
Corporate Creators:
John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
Corporate Contributors:
EG & G Dynatrend
Subject/TRT Terms:
[+]
Aeronautical Charts Air Pilots Approach Control Human Factors Icons Information Transfer Instrument Approach Procedure Charts Instrument Landing Systems Missed Approach
Publication/ Report Number:
DOT-VNTSC-FAA-92-3 ; DOT/FAA/RD-92/3
DOT-VNTSC-FAA-92-3 ; DOT/FAA/RD-92/3 Less -
Resource Type:
Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:
United States
Edition:
Final Report July 1991-December 1991
Corporate Publisher:
United States. Federal Aviation Administration. Office of Aviation Research
Abstract:
Instrument approach procedure (IAP) charts are often cluttered and confusing. The quantified effects of chart design

changes on information transfer are needed by chart manufacturers to make changes uhich will enhance information transfer

and human performance. The present study was conducted as part of a continuing effort at the Volpe National

Transportation Systems Center Human Performance Laboratory to develop human performance-based design guidelines for IAP

charts.

The objectives of this experiment were to determine whether encoding missed approach instructions in text or icons would

result in more efficient information transfer, and if the information transfer efficiency for either coding technique was

dependent upon the level of information content. Twelve pilots currently licensed for instrument (IFR) flight

participated as subjects. Text instructions were either taken directly or developed from instructions found on National

Ocean Service (N0S) IAP charts. Because of formatting inconsistencies in current NOS missed approach instructions, a

standard format was developed. In order to approximate the range of information content found in current NOS missed

approach instructions, these instructions possessed one of three levels of information content: low, medium, and high.

Comprehension speed was measured by counting the number of one second presentations (glances) subjects required to view

the instructions in order to verbally report them. Report accuracy was also measured. Subjects completed questionnaires

concerning their flight experience, preferences for IAP chart manufacturers, and preference for text or iconic coding of

the instructions.

Across the range of information content levels, iconic missed approach instructions were comprehended more quickly and as

accurately as instructions coded in text of the font style and size used by NOS. Regardless of coding technique, report

accuracy was significantly worse for instructions with a high information content level. Subjects indicated a strong

preference for using iconic missed approach instructions in single pilot IFR conditions.


Format:
PDF
Funding:
FA2E2/A2155
Collection(s):
Volpe
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:2d882e3c0ef245e2e30d1bb8c75a64a9b6ea692d0cb56ce6841e2c2f212042cc
Download URL:
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/8637/dot_8637_DS1.pdf
File Type:

Supporting Files

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