Human-Centered Design of the Enhanced Pilot Learning Interface for the Aviation Community

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to introduce a new device to help pilots navigate aircraft manuals. This informational navigational tool is designed to improve learning by reducing the time it takes a pilot candidate to retrieve aircraft system information within an aircraft manual. The device is called the Enhanced Pilot Learning Interface, an Advanced Interactive Media. The research project is based on human-centered design and consists of participatory design, modeling and simulation, human-in-the-loop simulation (HITLS), and expert user experience. Additionally, a traditional research experimentation was conducted to collect supporting statistical data. Preliminary tests of four current professional airline pilots demonstrated an efficiency increase of 65.5% when using the Enhanced Pilot Learning Interface; when compared to state-of-the-art methods. The research experiment consisting of 38 pilots also confirmed an average efficiency increase of 63%. Further, pilot feedback was also very positive. Human-in-the-loop simulation of the prototype was conducted with good results. During human-in-the-loop testing, more emerging properties and system behaviors were discovered with the challenges incorporated into the final prototype. This was to address emerging properties and behaviors discovered during the research.