Simulation of Original and NAFEC-Proposed Intermittent Positive Control Cockpit Displays.

Abstract : In order to evaluate the adequacy of aircraft proximity warning and collision avoidance information pilot display, 14 alternative cockpit displays were compared to the original Intermittent Positive Control (IPC) BADCOM display in a subjective evaluation by 17 persons. A single display best incorporating the preferred features was then compared to the BADCOM display in a series of midair collisions simulated in the GAT-2 flight simulator. Twenty-four pilots participated in four test sessions, each with 15 simulated conflicts in each session. Both displays were employed to give IPC maneuver commands and, alternatively, to give proximity warnings without specific maneuver orders. The results from this study indicated that there was no overall significant difference between the two displays evaluated, based on measured pilot performance. However, it was found that the two-altitude sector presentation (NAFEC display) was significantly better than the three altitude sector presentation (BADCOM display) in terms of pilot performance. In addition to the objective evaluation results, the pilots indicated that (a) they preferred the NAFEC display, because of the POSITIVE command approach; and (b) they found the RESUME NAVIGATION command to be important, because it indicated when the threat had passed. (Author)