F-16 AI/VVI (Attitude Indicators/Vertical Velocity Indicators) Evaluation: A Comparison of Four Configurations

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F-16 AI/VVI (Attitude Indicators/Vertical Velocity Indicators) Evaluation: A Comparison of Four Configurations

R. A. Dudley / J. A. Hassoun / J. M. Gavern / P. B. Lovering / M. C. Reynolds

The experiment Evaluated the effects of four different F-16C cockpit configurations on pilot's objective, subjective, and physiological responses in a simulated Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach. The four configurations were displayed by combining one of two Attitude Indicators (AI) and one of two Vertical Velocity Indicators (VVI). Following is a list of the four instruments: An AI with raw ILS data, an AI with Flight Director steering, a moving pointer VVI, and an improved tape VVI. Seven pilots flew 40 simulated ILS approaches each. Both performance and subjective data were in agreement in suggesting less pilot workload when the aircraft was equipped with Flight Director AI. The results were not conclusive in selecting one VVI over the other. However, it appears that a configuration on an AI with Flight Director steering commands along with a moving pointer VVI could lead to most efficient ILS approach performance. Keywords: Attitude indicator, Cockpit instruments, Command steering, Flight director, Instrument landing system, Physiological workload measures. (sdw)