Flight Simulator Evaluation of Baseline Crew Performance with Three Data Link Interfaces.

Abstract

Abstract : This study was conducted by the National Laboratory for Research of the Netherlands under cooperative sponsorship by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Ministry of Transport of the Netherlands. The purpose of the study was the evaluation and measure of fundamental level of effort associated with the use of Data Link as a communications medium. Three Data Link interface designs were evaluated which combined effects of location, operability, size, and level of integration with the cockpit. The scenario was an oceanic flight of 2 hours duration, from a point over the North Atlantic, across the British Isles to a landing at Sciphol Airport, Amsterdam. Experimental conditions included routine flight and diversions in the flight due to oceanic storms and turbulence, enroute traffic conflicts, and airport runway closings. Data measures included subjective assessments of display usefulness, workload, and overall acceptability of Data Link compared to voice and objective measures of level of effort, and errors. In addition, physiological measures of heartrate, respiration, and head position were logged, and correlated with events of the flight. Overall, Data Link was rated acceptable in certain flight regimes, and unacceptable in others. Where excessive key entries were required, the Data Link function was rated lower than voice, and where automation alleviated the need for excessive keying, Data Link was rated about the same as voice.