Superimposing Instrument Symbology on a Night Vision Goggle Display DuringSimulated Contour Flight

摘要

This experiment examined the effect of superimposing helmet-mounted display (HMD)flight information symbology on the aviator night vision goggle (ANVIS). Twenty-five rated helicopter pilots with no previous HMD experience were assigned to either an ANVIS-HMD group or a goggles-only group (ANVIS-only). All pilots flew familiarization flights and an hour-long reconnaissance mission on the Simulator Training Research Advanced Testbed for Aviation (STRATA), a high fidelity simulator. HMD symbology and the night vision goggle effects were integrated into the out-the-window images. Performance of the ANVIS-HMD group was comparable to that of the ANVIS-only group with respect to maintaining airspeed and altitude, detecting targets, detecting wire obstacles, and landing in a confined area. Although ANVIS-HMD users' visual activity was in the horizon area of the field of view 85% of the time (compared to 63% for the ANVIS-only group), they did not scan more effectively. No evidence of cognitive capture on the symbology was found. pilot experience level and handedness were not associated with flight performance or target detections but eye dominance was.