GPS Design Considerations: Displaying Nearest Airport Information

Civil Aerospace Medical Institute1998PDFTech ReportWilliams, K. W.United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Office of Aviation. Civil Aerospace Medical InstituteUnited States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Office of Aviation. Office of Aerospace MedicineUnited States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. Office of Aviation. Civil Aerospace Medical InstituteUnited StatesGlobal Positioning SystemAir pilotsAirborne navigational aidsAirportsGuidelinesMapsWayfindingUser interfaces (Computer science)Aircraft DisplaysApplied PsychologyDOT/FAA/AM-98/12Final ReportThirty-six participants were tested in a flight simulator on their ability to orient toward the nearest airport, based on the manner in which information was presented on a global positioning system (GPS) display. Results indicated that use of the tabular, text-only format normally found on such displays was significantly slower and less accurate than either a map display of nearest airport information or a text display that included an orientation symbol. In addition, it was found that pilots tended to ignore information available from the heading indicator, and instead, focused solely on the GPS display to perform the task. Discussion of the results includes the need to support pilot decision-making through interface design and the development of design guidelines for GPS displays.119