Application of simulated three-dimensional audio displays to fighter cockpits: a user survey

User opinion was solicited on the application of simulated three dimensional (3-D) audio displays to fighter cockpits. Seventy-six experienced military pilots were surveyed (72 had experience in tactical aircraft, 53 had Navy or Air Force fixed wing fighter experience, and average flight hours greater than 3000). Pilot opinion was collected about the utility and applicability of 3-D audio within broad categories of information display, based on functions of current fighter aircraft audio signals. Survey results indicated great consistency among pilots in their judgements regarding 3-D audio applications. Pilots showed a strong preference for 3-D sound in wingman communication and threat audio. Across nearly all information categories, most pilots preferred localized audio signals to the present non-localized audio. For threats, communications with other crew, and with other tactical aircraft such as the wingman, pilots preferred that sound come from the physical location of the sounds' origin in space. For system status information (i.e., information about one's own aircraft) pilots preferred sounds to direct them to particular visual displays for further information. These data provide important initial information about natural sound-to-location mappings for fighter aircraft.<
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