Auditory, visual, and bimodal data link displays and how they support pilot performance

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Aviation Psychology
• Human Factors Engineering

Background:

• Optimizing pilot performance in data link messaging systems necessitates empirical data.
• Existing systems require evaluation to enhance pilot efficiency and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of display format (auditory, visual, bimodal) on pilot performance.
• To assess the influence of visual display positioning on pilot performance during simulated flights.

Main Methods:

• Pilots completed five 20-minute simulated single-pilot flights.
• Data link messages were presented via auditory, visual, or bimodal formats.
• Pilot performance was measured by readback time, altitude tracking, and head-up time.

Main Results:

• Visual and bimodal displays resulted in lower subjective workload and superior altitude tracking compared to auditory displays.
• Unimodal visual displays significantly reduced message readback times.
• Auditory displays offered a slight advantage in head-up time, but display position showed minimal performance effects.

Conclusions:

• Visual and bimodal display formats are preferable to auditory formats for data link messaging systems.
• The placement of visual data link displays appears to have a minor effect on pilot performance.
• Findings support the use of visual or bimodal displays to enhance pilot performance in aviation communication systems.