Unknown-Attitude Recoveries Using Conventional and Terrain-Depicting Attitude Indicators: Difference Testing, Equivalence Testing, and Equivalent Level of Safety

The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of differing formats of forward-looking primary flight display (PFD; electronic attitude-direction indicator, full-color terrain, uniformly brown terrain) on general aviation (GA) pilot recoveries from unknown attitudes and to determine if reco...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The International journal of aviation psychology 2009-01, Vol.19 (1), p.76-97
Main Authors: Beringer, Dennis B., Ball, Jerry D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aircraft accidents & safety
Aviation
Comparative analysis
Pilots
Studies
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Summary:The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of differing formats of forward-looking primary flight display (PFD; electronic attitude-direction indicator, full-color terrain, uniformly brown terrain) on general aviation (GA) pilot recoveries from unknown attitudes and to determine if recovery assistance embodied in the display could be useful. Total recovery times and control reversals were examined as indexes of performance for 40 GA pilots, and the recovery times were subjected to a comparative analysis using both a parametric difference analysis and an equivalence testing technique. Results suggest that for the specific conditions investigated, terrain-depicting PFDs supported performance that was equivalent to that observed with the standard attitude indicator. Equivalence testing is recommended for cases where it is desirable to determine if one device or system provides for performance that is equivalent to another.
ISSN:1050-8414
1532-7108
DOI:10.1080/10508410802597366