Vertical Navigation Displays: Pilot Performance and Workload During Simulated Constant Angle of Descent GPS Approaches

TitleVertical Navigation Displays: Pilot Performance and Workload During Simulated Constant Angle of Descent GPS Approaches
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2001
AuthorsOman, C. M., A. J. Kendra, M. Hayashi, M. Stearns, and J. Burki-Cohen
JournalInternational Journal of Aviation Psychology
Volume11
Pagination15-31
MVL Report Number01.01
Keywordscockpit displays, navigation displays, flight management systems,vertical navigation, VNAV
Abstract

This study compared the effect of alternative graphic or numeric vertical navigation(VNAV) aircraft cockpit displays on horizontal and vertical flight technical error (FTE),workload and subjective preference. Displays included: a) a moving map with altituderange arc, b) the same format, supplemented with a push-to-see profile view, including avector flight-path predictor, c) an equivalent numeric display, and d) a numeric non-VNAV display. Sixteen pilots each flew four different approaches with each format in aFrasca 242 simulator. Our VNAV displays reduced vertical FTE by as much as a factor oftwo without increasing workload. Relative advantages of the graphics formats arediscussed.