This research describes 2 experiments in which pilot maneuver choice and visual workload in a free-flight simulation were examined. In the 1st experiment, 12 pilots flew a high-fidelity flight simulator with a cockpit display of traffic information (CDTI) and maneuvered to avoid traffic in a simulated free-flight environment. Pilot choices revealed a preference to make vertical rather than lateral avoidance maneuvers and to climb rather than descend. Pilots avoided both complex and airspeed maneuvers. In the 2nd experiment, 10 pilots flew the same maneuvers as the pilots in Experiment 1, but followed ATC instructions rather than using the CDTI. The CDTI in Experiment 1 occupied 25% of the pilots' visual attention. A comparison of scanning with Experiment 2 suggested that the CDTI pulled visual attention away from the outside world, but this attention diversion did not leave pilots vulnerable to missing traffic not annunciated on the CDTI. Implications of this work are discussed.
Samenvatting