Pilot-In-The-Loop Evaluation of the Approach Procedures Expert System (APES)

摘要

The Vehicle-Pilot Integration Branch of Wright Laboratory(WL/FIGP) conducted apilot-in-the-loop study to evaluate the utility of a prototype decision aid, the Approach Procedures Expert System (APES), to support the pilot's use of electronic approach plates in flying instrument approaches. This report describes the APES decision aid and the methodology and results of the Vehicle-Pilot Integration Branch's pilot-in-the-loop evaluation of the APES. The objectives of the study were to assess: (1) the effectiveness of APES for supporting approach tasks, (2) the performance of the decision aid and (3) the useability of the pilot-vehicle interface. To accomplish study objectives, 16 pilots flew a series of instrument approaches in a cockpit simulator. Pilot performance and subjective workload, situational awareness and acceptability ratings were obtained and analyzed to evaluate the study objectives. Overall, the results showed that the prototype Approach Procedure Expert System reduced pilot workload, increased pilot situational awareness, and improved flight performance compared to flying approaches without the decision aid. Refinements to the decision aid algorithm and pilot-vehicle interface were indicated. Potential areas for improvement of the APES and recommendations for further research are discussed.