Advanced flight deck for next generation aircraft

Alternative Flight Management System (FMS) human interface and Advanced Primary Flight Display (PFD) concepts are needed as the complexities of understanding and operating increased functionality on equipment continue to burden and confuse an already inundated pilot. In 1997 Rockwell Collins Inc. designed an advanced FMS display/interface and enhanced an existing 3D PFD that significantly reduced human interface problems between users of these systems. Two independent human factors experiments were conducted in 1997. The first investigated the Advanced FMS Interface display format versus a conventional Control Display Unit (CDU) type FMS. The second examined an advanced 3D PFD, an adaptation of the NASA 3D pathways display, compared to a standard commercial PFD format. Results from both experiments revealed statistically significant findings at the 95th level of confidence favoring these advanced flight deck designs. This paper details these findings and provides recommendations to cockpit designers of the next generation aircraft.