Sandra Lozito

The Effects of Different Levels of Intent Information on Pilot Self-Separation Performance

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of shortand long-term levels of intent information on pilot’s ability to self-separate in an unrestricted free flight environment. Free flight emphasizes more flexibility for pilots and more pilot involvement in separation responsibility with a goal of greater fuel efficiency. This study was conducted in the NASA Ames Part-Task simulator, a two person fixed based simulator similar to the Boeing 747-400. This research builds on previous studies of pilot selfseparation and incorporates feedback from pilots requesting traffic information beyond velocity vector information on their cockpit display. Eighteen flight crews current on glass aircraft were presented with three different intent displays: Baseline (velocity vector information), short-term intent (Mode Control Panel, MCP), and long-term intent (Flight Management Computer, FMC). Additionally, each intent type was incorporated into a prototypic airborne conflict probe (Yang & Kuchar, 1998). For example, if the pilots were presented with FMC intent, the alerting logic would consider the intruder’s flight plan and vertical change points (e.g. top-of-descent) in order to determine threat status.

Comparison of manual and autopilot breakout maneuvers with three closely spaced parallel runway approaches

This study used a high-fidelity flight simulator to explore approach operations for three closely-spaced parallel runways using autopilot and manually flown breakout procedures. An initial study investigated the concept under manual control mode only. The concept aimed to achieve visual meteorological conditions capacities under instrument meteorological conditions when landing aircraft on runways as close as 750 ft apart. This investigation studied procedures related to autopilot breakout maneuvers for triple parallel aircraft flying in an echelon formation and compared them to the manual procedures investigated earlier. All of the data collection runs had an off-nominal situation, which was either caused by the wake of the lead aircraft drifting too close to the center and trailing aircraft, or the lead aircraft deviating from its course and blundering towards the center and trailing aircraft. The location of the off-nominal situation (high/low altitude) and the position of the ownship (center or right runway) were also manipulated. Statistically significant results showed that autopilot breakout maneuvers were flown more accurately than manual breakout maneuvers. Some improved lateral separation was also observed between the paired aircraft while the autopilot was used, which could be attributed to the improved accuracies with which the breakout maneuver was flown using autopilot. On the subjective ratings, pilots experienced reduced workload, a similar level of situation awareness, and a reduced level of situational demands under the autopilot condition. Objective and subjective data from the current study extends the results from the previous research [1], with some evidence to suggest further improvement in these factors when autopilot breakout procedures are used.

Designing Procedures for Controller-Pilot Data Link Communication: Effects of Textual Data Link on Information Transfer

This research focused on identifying communication strategies and procedures related to efficient and errorresistant data link communication. A coding scheme was developed that identified five steps in the data link communication cycle in which information may need to be transmitted between operators. This methodology was applied to a data link full mission study with 10 flight crews as participants. Initial results indicated that the amount of information transferred may impact communication timing and efficiency. The impact of data link upon the roles and procedures of the crewmembers is discussed.

Role of the controller in an integrated pilot — Controller study for parallel approaches

Closely spaced parallel runway operations have been found to increase capacity within the National Airspace System but poor visibility conditions reduce the use of these operations [1]. Previous research examined the concepts and procedures related to parallel runways [2–4]. However, there has been no investigation of the procedures associated with the strategic and tactical pairing of aircraft for these operations. This study developed and examined the pilots and controllers procedures and information requirements for creating aircraft pairs for closely spaced parallel runway operations. The goal was to achieve aircraft pairing with a temporal separation of 15s (+/− 10s error) at a ‘coupling point’ that was 12 nmi from the runway threshold. In this paper, the role of the controller, as examined in an integrated study of controllers and pilots, is presented. The controllers utilized a pairing scheduler and new pairing interfaces to help create and maintain aircraft pairs, in a high-fidelity, human-in-the loop simulation experiment. Results show that the controllers worked as a team to achieve pairing between aircraft and the level of inter-controller coordination increased when the aircraft in the pair belonged to different sectors. Controller feedback did not reveal over reliance on the automation nor complacency with the pairing automation or pairing procedures.

Cockpit data link displays - An evaluation of textual formats

Data link technologies are being investigated for air/ground information transfer for commercial aircraft operation. This study was designed to measure which of four alpha-numeric display formats for display of data link information would lead to the quickest and most accurate memory retrieval in a part-task simulation environment. Pilots viewed a clearance for 10-15 seconds and were subsequently queried about the content of that clearance. Speed and accuracy of responses were measured across three retention tasks. The three retention tasks included free recall of a particular clearance. recognition of a previous clearance, and the comparison of element values between a previously displayed and current clearance. Each format was tested with and without a distraction task. Subjective ratings of each format were also collected. The analyses revealed no significant differences for reaction time or accuracy among the four formats. Explanations for these results as well as alternative methodologies are discussed.

Using Models to Explore Air Traffic Controller Workload

When a new system, concept, or tool is proposed in the aviation domain, one concern is the impact that it will have on operator workload. As an experience, workload is difficult to measure in a way that will allow comparison of proposed systems with those already in existence. Chatterji and Sridhar (2001) suggested a method by which airspace parameters can be translated into workload ratings, using a neural network. This approach was employed, and modified to accept input from a non-real time airspace simulation model. The following sections describe the method and pilot test comparing a future airspace concept with a current day baseline in terms of workload levels. The results presented describe a preliminary analysis from using these models with the data from two non-real time model runs.

Testing the Surface Management System (SMS) Through Operational Trials with Air Traffic Control and Airline Participants

The Surface Management System (SMS) aims to increase airport capacity and decrease surface gridlock, which are goals consistent with the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) National Airspace System Operational Evolution Plan (FAA, 2002). An operational trial was conducted to evaluate the initial design of the SMS traffic management tools. Although the dataset was small, participant responses were positive on four dimensions (usefulness, frequency of use, perceived accuracy, and ease of use) for nearly all of the six traffic management tools. Participant debriefs highlighted additional issues including the effects of SMS on coordination between Air Traffic Management facilities. This paper outlines the conduct of the operational trials and explores two of the major issues raised by the observations made during the trials.