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Perception of flight information from EFIS displays
1Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands. r.hosman@LR.TUDelft.NL
Control Engineering Practice
|March 1, 1997
Summary
Pilots perceive the magnitude of Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) variables faster and more accurately than their rates of change. This finding impacts flight display design and pilot training for enhanced aviation safety.
Area of Science:
- Human Factors
- Aviation Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- The Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) is crucial for modern aviation.
- Understanding pilot perception of displayed information is vital for flight safety and system design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate pilot perception of variables presented on the EFIS.
- To compare the speed and accuracy of perceiving variable magnitude versus its rate of change.
Main Methods:
- Employed a stimulus-response technique to measure perception.
- Varied stimulus exposure time to assess perception dynamics.
- Conducted experiments on roll/pitch attitude and indicated airspeed perception.
Main Results:
- Perception of a variable's magnitude was significantly faster and more accurate than perceiving its first derivative (rate).
- Scale division influenced perception accuracy.
- Specific results for roll, pitch, and indicated airspeed perception are detailed.
Conclusions:
- Pilots process static magnitude information more efficiently than dynamic rate information on EFIS displays.
- This suggests design implications for EFIS to optimize pilot situational awareness.
- Further research could explore optimal display formats for rate information.