Simulation Study of the Operational Characteristics of a Two/Three-Dimensional Multiwaypoint Area Navigation (RNAV) System.

摘要

The purpose of this report is to evaluate pilot capability to fly air traffic control offsets and vertical profiles for both two- and three-dimensional area navigation (RNAV) modes both with and without the use of a flight director. Flight pilot subjects participated in simulation tests conducted at the National aviation facilities Experimental Center. Performance was measured for two varibles: total system crosstrack error (TSCT) and flight technical error (FTE); and assessment was made of pilot performance on horizontal tracking, vertical tracking, and turns. The major findings were: (1) 2-sigma and 2-RMS steady state tracking data for centerline and offset tracking were within + or - 1.5 nautical miles of the course being flown, (2) summary data for centerline turns never exceeded a + or - 2 nautical miles error range, (3) centerline tracking was less variable than offset tracking, (4) the use of 3D RNAV mode to arrive at a specified altitude at a specific location increased pilot workload along the route segment leading to that location, (5) lag times for pilot response to ATC RNAV clearances were found to be a function of the situation complexity, and (6) the calculated RSS statistic proved to be an overconservative estimator of TSCT errors. (Author)