ACROSS: Results on the Evaluation of a new HUD design

Kurzfassung

This document is the internal project deliverable D5.2-3c Results on the Evaluation of a new HUD design for ACROSS, a European Commission co-funded project. This internal report describes the results of the first local evaluation. It expands DLR’s contribution to D5.1-4 Reporting on Testing and Evaluation Plans for Local Test Benches and D5.2-2 Overview of local technology developments. Therefore, it includes an updated description of the experimental setup, evaluation metrics and test scenarios introduced in the two deliveries. This is followed by a detailed description of the results of the evaluation exercise. These will be used to plan a new evaluation exercise which will take place in 2015, to be described in an updated version of D5.2-3c produced as part of WP5.4. The chosen scenario included a take-off with low visibility, in a busy airport, with parallel runways, under time pressure, with some expected event (other aircraft taking off). Performance data was collected during the trials, namely the time it took the pilots to rotate once the aircraft started moving, rotation speed and deviations from required track. Subjective data in the form of questionnaires was also acquired. The post-flight questionnaire was divided in three parts. First, we wanted to know about the general experience during take-off with the new display. The second group of questions specifically addressed the symbology used. Finally, we wanted to know how we can improve the display. For parts 1 and 2 we used a Likert response format, with statements that could be rated by the pilots based on the degree of agreement or disagreement (e.g., strongly agree, somewhat agree, undecided, somewhat disagree, strongly disagree), two dichotomous questions (yes or no answer) and three questions where pilots had to choose the statement with which they most agreed. Finally, part 3 consisted of five open-ended questions, which provided pilots the opportunity to express their opinion. Observer notes and debriefings comments were also reviewed for indications of possible trends or useful insights. The evaluation was successful. All pilots performed the low visibility take-off without problems. Runway centerline was kept and the gear was retracted when a positive rate of climb was established. The pilots maintained an attitude for straight ahead climb after rotation. The pilots were in general very supportive and provided important feedback. This will be used to further improve the display to support the pilots managing workload during take-off. In WP5.3 and WP5.4 it is intended that the technology will be transferred to the GRACE simulator for overall assessment. Here, the results from the initial PTE will be considered and included in an updated software version. Furthermore, we plan to use eye-tracking data to support the results obtained using performance data and the questionnaires. The Human Factors principles were the main driver of this evaluation. Focus was on evaluating the human-machine interface (HMI), trust, usefulness and whether the pilots were aware of particular symbology aspects during take-off. The DLR System Dynamics results on Flight Tolerant Control (FTC) are presented in D5.2-3b Result on haptic technology for future envelope protection logic, upset recovery and fault tolerant control aspect.