Simplified Approach Charts Improve Data Retrieval Performance

摘要

The effectiveness of different instrument approach charts to deliver minimum visibility and altitude informa-tion during airport equipment outages was investigated. Eighteen pilots flew simulated instrument approaches in three conditions: (a) normal operations using a standard approach chart (standard-normal), (b) equipment outage conditions using a standard approach chart (standard-outage), and (c) equipment outage conditions using a prototype decluttered approach chart (prototype-outage). Errors and retrieval times in identifying minimum alti-tudes and visibilities were measured.The standard-outage condition produced significantly more errors and longer retrieval times versus the standard-normal condition.The prototype-outage condition had significantly fewer errors and shorter retrieval times than did the standard-outage condition.The prototype-outage condition produced sig-nificantly fewer errors but similar retrieval times when compared with the standard-normal condition. Thus, changing the presentation of minima may reduce risk and increase safety in instrument approaches, specifically with airport equipment outages.