Exploring the Relationship between Flight Technical Error and NASA-TLX Subscale Ratings when Using HUD Localizer Takeoff Guidance in Lieu of Currently Required Infrastructure

This was an exploratory in nature follow-on research. The previous efforts were focused on the operational impact of using head-up display (HUD) with localizer guidance in lieu of Centerline Lights (CLL) for takeoff in low visibility conditions. Herein, the primary goal was to examine the relationship between the subjective NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) workload ratings and Flight Technical Error (FTE) as the objective measure of performance. Instead of the total weighted scores, the authors analyzed the raw, unweighted NASA-TLX subscale ratings. Based on the analyses conducted, the authors proposed methods to utilize FTE data in predicting individual pilot workload ratings and vice versa. The results indicated that the single best subjective predictor of FTE was the NASA-TLX Performance subscale in both normal and abnormal operations. Nonetheless, the most noteworthy finding was that when the abnormal condition included a trained failure (e.g., engine failure during takeoff), the ratings on the NASA-TLX Temporal Demand subscale had an inverse relationship with FTE. That is, during trained abnormal events, the increased time pressure was associated with improved pilot performance. The immediate automatic response was to prioritize maintaining aircraft directional control and to compartmentalize tasks by priority. In contrast, when the pilots were presented with an abnormal event that they had not been trained on, this automatic response was absent. The discussion also includes methodological limitations and future research.

• Record URL:
  https://www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/2020s/media/202129.pdf
• Corporate Authors:

  Federal Aviation Administration

  Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, P.O. Box 25082
  Oklahoma City, OK  United States  73125

  Federal Aviation Administration

  Flight Technologies and Procedures Division
  Oklahoma City, OK  United States 

  Federal Aviation Administration

  Office of Aerospace Medicine, 800 Independence Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20591
• Authors:
  • Kratchounova, Daniela
  • Choi, Inchul
  • Mofle, Theodore C
  • Miller, Larry
  • Stevenson, Scott
  • Humphreys, Mark
• Publication Date: 2021-10-26

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 26p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air pilots; Aircraft operations; Errors; Head up displays; Takeoff; Workload
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01789503
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT/FAA/AAM-21/29
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Nov 30 2021 10:18AM