Iterative designs of onboard context-sensitive information system (OCSIS)

Abstract

Pilots currently use paper-based documentation and electronic systems to help them perform procedures to ensure safety, efficiency and comfort on commercial aircrafts. The Onboard Context-Sensitive Information System (OCSIS) was developed and tested to overcome the lack of context-sensitivity of paper-based operational documents, especially when time pressure is high in normal, abnormal and emergency situations. It includes operational information on flight, system, performance, and navigation. Its content is organized using a hyperlinked three-layer information structure. The current version of OCSIS was developed on an iPad using a high-level knowledge representation for procedures and checklists called interactive blocks or iBlocks (Boy, 1998). OCSIS was tested using human-in-the-loop simulations that involved professional pilots in the simulator. First results are encouraging because they show that OCSIS can be usable and useful for operational information access and provides other features that paper-based documents do not have. OCSIS was human-centered designed using an agile approach involving formative evaluations.