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Enhancing Spatial Orientation in Novice Pilots: Comparing Different Attitude Indicators Using Synthetic Vision Systems

Gross, Alice; Manzey, Dietrich

FG Arbeits-, Ingenieur- und Organisationspsychologie

Spatial disorientation (SD) is a common factor in aviation accidents, especially in novice pilots. An experiment was carried out to determine which of four different attitude indicator concepts in combination with two different display backgrounds (abstract vs. synthetic landscape) proves to be the most beneficial for novice pilot performance. Inexperienced pilots had to recover from unusual attitudes by using the standard moving-horizon display, a moving-aircraft display, a frequency-separated display, and a “mixed” display, with the latter two representing hybrid concepts with movements of both aircraft symbol and horizon bar. Participants performed the task of recovering from unusual attitudes most efficiently with hybrid display concepts, suggesting that these display concepts prevent figure-ground reversals and associated pilot errors. Outcomes of the study suggest that the implementation of hybrid display concepts as a backup option when unwillingly entering Instrument Flight Conditions could be a solution for preventing SD in novice pilots.
  • Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.
  • This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively.