Pilot interface considerations using high level information fusion

Since the development of the “Pilot's Associate” by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for rotorcraft in the 1990s, there has been a focus on developing intelligent aviation user interfaces. A common theme extending from these efforts includes advances in data and sensor fusion. Data from sensors, when combined, is termed low-level information fusion (LLIF). The ability for a user to make sense and interact with the data is termed High-Level Information Fusion (HLIF). Safe flight requires the pilot to be able to utilize various avionics results and warnings to rapidly respond to impending situations. Context-sensitive aiding is an important element in supporting aircraft pilots in complex, dangerous, or demanding environments. In this paper, we explore an illusionary effect to foster the continued discussion on man-machine interface that can utilize HLIF developments. The application of LLIF-HLIF estimation methods are shown as methods towards assisting a pilot to recover from spatial disorientation.