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https://trb-annual-meeting.nationalacademies.org/registration

NextGen Human Factors of Head-Worn Displays for Civil Aviation

The approach and landing phase of flight is among the most safety-critical operations in civil aviation, particularly when outward visibility is limited by weather. To mitigate risks of this operation, pilots fly with a Head-Up Display (HUD), which presents flight symbology on a transparent screen at a focal distance of optical infinity so that the pilot can view primary flight information while maintaining visual contact with the runway. The Head-Worn Display (HWD) is an emerging technology in civil aviation that is designed to provide the benefits of a HUD; however, it may incorporate optical differences that impact pilots’ performance and workload while they fly. HWDs can be binocular (i.e., displaying symbology to both eyes) or monocular (i.e., displaying symbology to a single eye). HWDs may also present symbology at a focal distance nearer than optical infinity. When flying with a monocular HWD, binocular rivalry may occur, subsequently impacting the pilot’s ability to use the symbology and imposing greater demands on the pilot’s attention. This raises questions about whether using a monocular HWD impact pilots’ flying performance, elevates workload, and increases the risk of attentional tunneling. Pilot performance and workload may also be impacted if the focal distance of the HWD symbology is nearer than optical infinity. To address these concerns, a study was carried out in which 48 Airline Transport Pilot Captains flew approach and landing scenarios with varying visibility levels, some of which included abnormal events, in a Boeing 737 Level D-equivalent flight simulator while using flight symbology presented on a HUD, binocular HWD, or monocular HWD. Pilots rated their workload during each scenario using the NASA Task Load Index (TLX). Ultimately, this research contributes to the understanding of how visual attention is impacted by monocular viewing and provides practical takeaways for the use of a HWD in lieu of a HUD during low-visibility approach and landing flight operations.