Static versus Dynamic Presentation of Visual Cues in Simulated Low Level Flight

Abstract : The present study examined three visual display environments (i.e., a valley floor, a valley floor with walls, and a valley floor with walls and inverted pyramid terrain features) using different display presentation modes (i.e., slides, static video, and dynamic video). Both pilot and non-pilot subjects were employed. Differences between pilot and non-pilot subjects were obtained for the accuracy of altitude estimation with the former being more accurate. Although the results were complex, both pilots and non-pilots, showed in general, an improvement in altitude estimation with the dynamic vs. the static mode of presentation and with increasing complexity of the visual scene. Resolution of the display image was also shown to be an important factor. The results of this study have relevance to the development of CIG and the evaluation of the simulator visual environment. (Author)