Usability of EFBs for viewing NOTAMs and AIS/MET data link messages

Abstract

Electronic Flight Bags (EFB) are increasingly integral to flight deck information management. A piloted simulation study was conducted at NASA Langley Research Center, one aspect of which was to evaluate the usability and acceptability of EFBs for viewing and managing Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) and data linked aeronautical information services (AIS) and meteorological information (MET) .The study simulated approaches and landings at Memphis International Airport (KMEM) using various flight scenarios and weather conditions. Ten two-pilot commercial airline crews participated, utilizing the Cockpit Motion Facility's Research Flight Deck (CMF/RFD) simulator. Each crew completed approximately two dozen flights over a two day period.Two EFBs were installed, one for each pilot. Study data were collected in the form of questionnaire/interview responses, audio/video recordings, oculometer recordings, and aircraft/system state data.Preliminary usability results are reported primarily based on pilot interviews and responses to questions focused on ease of learning, ease of use, usefulness, satisfaction, and acceptability. Analysis of the data from the other objective measures (e.g., oculometer) is ongoing and will be reported in a future publication. This paper covers how the EFB functionality was set up for the study; the NOTAM, AIS/MET data link, and weather messages that were presented; questionnaire results; selected pilot observations; and conclusions.

Motion-based piloted flight simulation test results for a realistic weather environment

“…The PM group also rated their understanding as "High" as shown in Figure 17, a plot of PM responses to the third SA question. Results from the analyses of additional questionaire responses regarding the acceptability of the EFBs are provided in [8].…”

“…EFB displays were installed on both the left and right side. As illustrated in both [1] and [8], the generic EFB main menu was designed to enable access to charts, AIS/MET data and other relevant information. There were also two Control Display Units for pilot interaction with the Flight Management System (FMS).…”

“…These included Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) reflectivity, Pilot Reports (PIREP), Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMET), Winds and Temperatures Aloft, and Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS). Information on how the data linked weather information in the form of AIS/MET messages was used in the experiment (as per [5]) was provided in a companion paper [8].…”