Low-visibility commercial ground operations: An objective and subjective evaluation of a multimodal display

Abstract

Flight crews’ capacity to conduct take-off and landing in near zero visibility conditions has been partially addressed by advanced surveillance and cockpit display technology. This capability is yet to be realised within the context of manoeuvring aircraft within airport terminal areas. In this paper the performance and workload benefits of user-centre designed visual and haptic taxi navigational cues, presented via a head-up display (HUD) and active sidestick, respectively, were evaluated in simulated taxiing trials by 12 professional pilots. In addition, the trials sought to examine pilot acceptance of side stick nose wheel steering. The HUD navigational cues demonstrated a significant task-specific benefit by reducing centreline deviation during turns and the frequency of major taxiway deviations. In parallel, the visual cues reduced self-report workload. Pilot’s appraisal of nose wheel steering by sidestick was positive, and active sidestick cues increased confidence in the multimodal guidance construct. The study presents the first examination of how a multimodal display, combining visual and haptic cues, could support the safety and efficiency in which pilots are able to conduct a taxi navigation task in low-visibility conditions.

What Do You Need? Information Requirements and Task Analysis of (Future) Advanced Air Mobility Pilots in the Emergency Medical Service

“…With the steady rise in the use of Head-Up-Displays (HUDs) in civil transport aircraft [19], new and modern HMI designs should also consider the benefits and disadvantages of overlaying the outside world with visual information. Focusing mainly on situational awareness, Blundell et al [20] conducted multiple focus group sessions with experienced airline transport pilot license (ATPL) holders to gain insights on how to design modern Augmented Reality (AR) systems from a user's perspective. This research was not limited to the scope of AAM but general piloting.…”

“…Therefore, the next logical step is the development of design solutions that support users in the described scenarios. Such solutions must also incorporate findings that are not specific to this HEMS scenario but also general findings in the field of modern aircraft HMI design (e.g., [18,20]). A specific focus in the SVO space must be finding an appropriate information design for non-aviation professionals.…”

Multivariate Analysis of Gaze Behavior and Task Performance Within Interface Design Evaluation

“…The current HUD symbology set was developed to provide navigational support during the above situations, when the quality of external navigational cues is degraded and where the benefit of onboard navigation aids is challenged. Previous studies [8], [19], [20] have shown pilots taxi faster and more accurately with bespoke HUD taxiing symbology versus paper charts in reduced visibility conditions. While eye tracking was implemented in one study [8], no studies have applied paradigms, such as a vision-for-action, that describe the link between attention to the discrete symbology elements and pilot performance.…”