Cockpit Lighting Research Articles

Experimental study on visual ergonomics of an aircraft cockpit considering an extremely wide range of illuminance conditions

Vision is the main way for pilots to obtain information, and good visual ergonomics are an important support for ensuring aircraft flight safety. The range of illumination changes in the light environment of the aircraft cockpit is very wide, and research on the visual ergonomics of the cockpit needs to consider various extreme lighting conditions. This study conducted visual ergonomics experiments on 15 participants in a full-scale simulated cockpit, examining the accuracy, reaction time, and subjective evaluation of visual tasks under 8 typical environmental lighting intensity levels. The experimental results show that, except for head-up display, the accuracy of visual target interpretation tasks performed by other display devices under different brightness conditions remains at a high level. And as the brightness of the display device increases, the accuracy of interpretation gradually increases, and the reaction time gradually decreases. In terms of subjective evaluation, there is a significant correlation between fuzziness, fatigue, clarity of image symbols, resolution between symbols, comfort of the image, and overall satisfaction with the image, but the correlation with environmental illumination level is relatively low. The experimental results can provide a certain theoretical basis for the design of cockpit lighting environment.

Effects of In-Flight Countermeasures to Mitigate Fatigue Risks in Aviation

Abstract. Fatigue is a frequent phenomenon for pilots doing shift work and working in changing time zones. Napping or increased cockpit lighting, so-called in-flight countermeasures, may help pilots mitigate the symptoms of acute fatigue. This study investigated the impact of napping on sleep quality and the effect of in-flight countermeasures on how often pilots notice fatigue symptoms when feeling tired. In total, 106 German-speaking pilots participated in an online survey. The results showed a medium correlation between napping and improved sleep quality (r = .32) and a low-to-medium correlation between a frequent usage of in-flight countermeasures and less acute physical fatigue symptoms (r = −.22). Officers indicate using napping more often than captains do (d = .70). Further research should investigate how cabin crew members can benefit from mitigating measures.

Night Vision Goggles, Human Factors Aspects - A Questionnaire Survey of Helicopter Aircrew

Night vision goggles have become an essential component of military aviation. They provide superior visual capability over unaided night vision, but there are several inherent limitations associated with human factors...

Assessing the Effect of Incompatible Light on Night Vision Goggle Performance

Current specifications indicate that cockpit lighting designed for night vision goggle (NVG) operations is compatible with NVGs if it does not degrade NVG-aided visual acuity (VA). This study compared two measures of VA; USAF Tri-Bar Chart and NVG Chart. NVG-aided contrast sensitivity (CS) also was assessed; three CS charts having spatial frequencies (SF) of 3, 6, and 12 cycles/degree (cpd) were developed. VA and CS were measured with either low or high levels of incompatible light present. Results revealed that performance did not differ between the two VA measures. Under low incompatible light, CS was degraded only for the high SF. Under high incompatible light, CS was degraded for all SFs. These results suggest that the choice of VA measure should depend upon evaluation factors (e.g., available time, sample size). CS can be used as an alternative to VA and may provide a more complete index of cockpit lighting compatibility.

Compatibility of aircraft cockpit lighting and image intensification night imaging systems

Night imaging systems based on image intensification (12) tubes are a major factor in the night operation capability of military aircraft. A major problem associated with the use of these systems is the detrimental effect on performance caused by internal cockpit lighting. Instrument lamps, caution lamps, utility lights, and other light sources inside the cockpit activate the automatic gain control circuits of the intensification tubes, thereby reducing their sensitivity to external natural and artificial illumination. In 1986, a tn-service specification, MIL-L-85762, Lighting, aircraft, interior, night vision imaging system compatible7 was adopted to resolve the cockpit lighting problems. MIL-L-85762 defines the measurement instrumentation and techniques required to certify lighting components as Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) compatible. Ongoing efforts related to MIL-L-85762 include characterization of lighting incompatibilities in current U.S. Army aircraft, implementation of programs to modify the lighting in incompatible cockpits, and certification of proposed lighting components for future aircraft systems.

Human Factors Engineering Analysis of Marine Corps Night Attack Aircraft

The U.S. Marine Corps has proposed sensor and display improvements to provide night attack capability for the AV-8B and F/A–18 aircraft. The aircraft enhancements include the addition of a Forward Looking Infrared sensor displayed on a new raster Head-Up Display, Night Vision Goggle compatibility, and a color multi-purpose display. A human factors engineering analysis was performed to identify the human factors impact of the cockpit changes involved. Included in the analysis were a literature review, interviews with pilots, design considerations review, and development of recommendations based on both human factors standards and lessons learned from similar projects. The primary areas researched were: cockpit lighting, color displays, and night vision sensor utilization.

A literature review of cockpit lighting : Poston, A.M. Apr. 1974 27 pp. Government Reports Announcements (Report No. AD-779 407/6GA)

Abstract : The report contains a compilation of data from a review of the available literature on the subject of cockpit lighting. The purpose of this review is to pinpoint areas where sufficient results have been obtained to prevent the repetition of similar studies. It is also the intent of the report to point out areas where future research is needed before improvements in current lighting systems can be made. The major areas of discussion are red versus white, major cockpit lighting problems, auxiliary lighting, glare reduction, luminance levels and legibility, and future considerations. Within each section, conclusions and recommendations have been made based on the information presented.

The effect of cockpit lighting systems on multicoloured displays : Barnes, J.A.Dec 1970; abstr. in US Government Research and Development Reports (Report No AD-716 610

The effect of cockpit lighting systems on multicoloured displays : Barnes, J.A.Dec 1970; abstr. in US Government Research and Development Reports (Report No AD-716 610

Ultra‐Violet and White Lighting for Aircraft Instruments

THE aircraft industry is always trying to improve cockpit lighting, and over the years many different arrangements of tungsten filament lamp have been used. Red lighting has long been standard equipment for aircraft and, during the last twenty years, ultra‐violet lighting with Woods glass tungsten lamps has been very successful.

Better cockpit lighting.

Annals of the New York Academy of SciencesVolume 51, Issue 7 p. 1204-1206 BETTER COCKPIT LIGHTING Clifford P. Seitz, Corresponding Author Clifford P. Seitz Special Devices Center, O. N. R., Port Washington, Sands Point, L. I., N. Y.*The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private ones of the writer and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Navy Department or the naval service at large.Search for more papers by this author Clifford P. Seitz, Corresponding Author Clifford P. Seitz Special Devices Center, O. N. R., Port Washington, Sands Point, L. I., N. Y.*The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private ones of the writer and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Navy Department or the naval service at large.Search for more papers by this author First published: January 1951 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.1951.tb27346.xAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume51, Issue7Human EngineeringJanuary 1951Pages 1204-1206 RelatedInformation

Transactions section: The scientific basis for the New British system of cockpit lighting

The new British system uses ultraviolet for the illumination of the instrument markings and red floodlighting for the general illumination of the cockpit. The scientific basis for this system, which is known as the dual system of cockpit lighting, is discussed, and some details of the fittings are given. Particular emphasis is laid on the layout of the cockpit, correct layout being regarded as the most important single factor for the success of the whole system.

The Scientific Basis for the New British System of Cockpit Lighting

The new British system uses ultraviolet for the illumination of the instrument markings and red floodlighting for the general illumination of the cockpit. The scientific basis for this system, which is known as the dual system of cockpit lighting, is discussed, and some details of the fittings are given. Particular emphasis is laid on the layout of the cockpit, correct layout being regarded as the most important single factor for the success of the whole system.