FAA Technical Center's Avionics Data Link Initiative

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FAA Technical Center's Avionics Data Link Initiative

A. J. Rehmann

Weather and air traffic control (ATC) services have been developed at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Technical Center to be delivered to aircraft via data link. The six weather and three air traffic control (ATC) services were designed to meet the needs of pilots and air traffic controllers. To assess the suitability of data link services to both user groups, two mini studies and a full fidelity operational evaluation were conducted. In the mini studies, pilots were asked to view data link cockpit presentations depicted on a personal computer (PC) display. In the operational evaluation, four general aviation pilots flew a GAT II B cockpit simulator configurated as a Cessna 421. Four airline crews flew a B-727 cockpit simulator. Subjective and objective data were collected on pilot performance during the operational evaluation. Results showed that the pilots' interaction time with data link was comparable to the time spent in voice communications. Furthermore, thirteen errors/callbacks/repeats were logged in with voice communications while none were logged with data link. The Technical Center plans to continue the human factors research to broaden the pilot performance data base. Research will also continue to provide low cost solutions to expensive avionics.