NTL Record

Title Human Factors Experiments for Data Link: Interim Report No. 6.: An Evaluation of Data Link Input/Output Devices Using Airline Flight Simulators
Record ID 41494
Personal Name
Creator
Diehl, James M.
Source 208p. in various pagings
Corporate Creator ARINC Research Corporation; John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
Corporate
Contributor
United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Systems Research & Development Service
Publisher United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration
Publication Date 19751101
Language English
Abstract An evaluation of candidate cockpit Data Link input/output (I/O) devices using airline flight simulators was conducted. The opinions of airline pilots regarding Air Traffic Control by Data Link were obtained. Three full complements of I/O devices were evaluated. The complements were differentiated by the presence of (1) a visual short message ATC (SMATC) display, (2) a voice synthesizer (Vosyn), and (3) a combination of SMATC and Vosyn. An experimental design was developed to evaluate these complements by means of three scenarios in both DC-9 and B-727 airline flight simulators. The experimental setup provided for the collection of quantitative data in the form of message response times and communications events. Qualitative data consisting of questionnaire responses and comments were obtained. The visual SMATC display was more desirable than the Vosyn, the Vosyn/SMATC combination, or conventional voice during ground, low en route, and high en route flight. Conventional voice was favored during local control and was ranked equally with the SMATC during arrival and departure. The SMATC provided the fastest comprehension. No major differences in Data Link were found between two and three crew member simulators. The loss of essential other aircraft, weather advisory, and terminal routing information caused by the presumed selective address capability will necessitate a compensating ATC improvement or alternative before an ATC system based solely on Data Link will receive wide acceptance by airline pilots.
Rosap ID dot:9302
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/9302
TRT Terms Speech synthesis; Air traffic control; Automation; Flight simulators; Instrument displays
General Subjects Digital data link; Synthetic speech; Data Link
Classification NTL - AVIATION - Air Traffic Control
Geographical
Coverage
United States
Contract Number DOT-TSC-793
Report Number DOT-TSC-FAA-75-22; FAA-RD-75-160
Availability Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Center
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/41000/41400/41494/DOT-TSC-FAA-75-22.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository