Usability evaluation of speech synthesis and recognition for improving the human interface to next generation data link communication systems

This paper describes a usability analysis of concepts and procedures associated with the introduction of synthesized voice and automatic speech recognition for electronic data communications between flight crews and air traffic controllers. Several structured interviews with professional pilots were conducted over a period of two weeks. Questions posed to these experts were twofold. Will synthesized voice annunciation of data linked Air Traffic Control (ATC) messages improve the human interface and increase the ability of the pilot to interact with these ATC messages? Secondly, will an automatic speech recognition system increase the pilot's ability to respond to and/or create new ATC data linked messages? This paper will highlight the results of this analysis and provide recommendations for designers.