Windshield Quality and Pilot Performance

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Windshield Quality and Pilot Performance

C. L. Kraft / C. D. Anderson / C. L. Elworth / C. Larry

Two experimental investigations were performed with C-141 pilots making aircraft landings with a 727-200 flight crew training simulator mounted on a three-degree-of-freedom motion base. The terrain image was computer-generated and the 1000 TV line, full color scene was displayed at optical infinity with a resolution of 2.9 arc minutes. All pilots were extensively tested for several skills. Optical distortion panels between the pilot and the visual scene simulated a range of windscreen image qualities from excellent to poor. One study used 8 pilots, 4 windscreen qualities, 2 times-of-day and 2 visibility conditions. A second study used 6 pilots, 3 windscreen qualitites, 2 times-of-day, and 4 replications. In both studies, ten dependent measures were taken of pilot's performance. Decreased windscreen optical quality increased centerline deviations at touchdown point. Windscreen quality and time-of-day significantly interacted. Night approaches with poor windscreens were significantly above glide slope, but on glide slope with better windscreens. Approaches were low for all windscreens in daytime landings. Poor optical quality windscreens caused apparently more cautious night landings: higher faster approaches, more rapid descents and touchdowns that were harder and further down the runway. Recommendations are made for measuring windscreen optical quality effects on flight performance. (Author)