Visual Perception of Pilots in Carrier Landing

Abstract

Experimental investigations were performed in a visual carrier landing simulator to determine the accuracy and consistency with which Navy pilots can judge position on the glide slope and flight path during final approach. These studies covered conditions involving a quiet sea state in which there was no angular deck motion present, as well as a moving deck. The effects of dusk and night landings and the presence of the Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System (FLOLS) were includ ed. The results indicate that pilots' mean estimates of position when on-course are within a small fraction of a degree of being correct under dusk and night conditions, with a static or moving carrier, with and without the FLOLS. However, variability in judgment is high. Sensitivity to changes in position is reduced with a moving carrier, and falls to a low value of about 40% at night, without the FLOLS. Mean estimates of flight path are within 4 min of arc of being correct when the aircraft is flying toward the desired aim point under all ambient and ship conditions. Again, variability in judgment is high. Sensitivity to changes in aim point is low, falling to about 10% at night.