Accuracy of Geographic Orientation during Nap-of-the-Earth Flight as a Function of Topographic Map Contour-Line Interval

摘要

An experimental study was conducted to explore the ability of Army aviators to interpret contour maps. In particular, the relationship between performance and contour line interval was examined. The experiment included two separate tasks. The first task dealt with relating terrain features presented by 35mm transparencies to their encoded depiction on contour line maps. The second task was concerned with the ability to use these maps in drawing the track of an NOE flight presented by a motion picture. Seventy-two experienced pilots participated in the study. Study results indicated that the typical army aviator (although experienced in nap-of-the-earth flight) would not be able to perform navigation at nap-of-the-earth altitudes to the required level of accuracy using a topographic display which portrayed terrain relief and no other topographic features. Performances did not vary in any systematic way with the contour interval of the maps, although contour interval, if tested only with highly skilled participants, would be almost certain to have a marked impact on nap-of-the-earth navigation performance. It is concluded that future topographic displays should include more information than terrain relief alone, and that helicopter pilots expected to perform nap-of-the-earth tactics urgently need additional training in terrain-relief analysis and contour-line interpretation. Data from the simulated in-flight map interpretation task are graphically presented.