Human Factors Experiments for Data Link: Final Report

Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Center;Federal Aviation Administration1975PDFTech ReportHilborn, Edwin H.John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)United States. Federal Aviation Administration. Systems Research & Development ServiceUnited States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation AdministrationUnited StatesSpeech synthesisHuman factorsAdvanced automation system (Air traffic control)Coding systemsAir traffic controlFlight simulatorsAutomationData linkSynthetic speechDOT-TSC-FAA-75-19FAA-RD-75-170Introduction, Laboratory tests of message coding and formats, Simulator studies of short message ATC visual displays, Tests utilizing a full data link complement: Experimental conditions, Results of full scale data link tests, Conclusions and recommendationsThis report describes the results of a series of experiments to evaluate cockpit Input/Output devices for Data Link as Phase I of a larger project to explore all facets of the digital transmission of air traffic control information. Following preliminary laboratory experiments to investigate optimum means of formatting and presenting information, prototype hardware was fabricated and evaluated on GAT-1 and GAT-2 simulators. Deficiencies in the prototypes were noted, and new, improved hardware was fabricated for further evaluation on the GAT-2 and airline simulators (B-727 and DC-9). Data Link as a concept was found to be generally acceptable, and there was widespread agreement that it would reduce crew workload. Airline pilots were concerned by the loss of information resulting from the selective address capabilities of Data Link, so that they did not hear messages intended for other aircraft. Visual displays were preferred for all but emergency messages; for these, the use of synthetic speech (Vosyn) is a likely candidate. In-cockpit printout of clearances, weather and ATIS information was favorably received, and the use of keyboard input for downlink message generation was found to be acceptable.127