Evaluation of the Use of a Head-Worn Display (HWD) for Flight Support in the Commercial Flight Deck

Document Number: 2009-01-3144

Date Published: November 2009

Author(s):
Lisa C. Thomas - Boeing Co.

Abstract:
This study compared the performance of pilots flying a series of approach and landings under each of three conditions: using standard 737-NG flight deck displays only, using those displays with an optical head up display (HUD), and using those displays with a head worn display (HWD) depicting the same symbology as the HUD.

Display condition had no effect on pilots' normal landing flight profiles or successful avoidance of a runway incursion. However, pilots reported decreased situation awareness and increased perceived workload when using the HWD as compared to the other two conditions. Pilot comments suggested that the poorer ratings for HWD were attributed to physical characteristics of the hardware and noticeable head-tracking latency.

The results indicate that while the HWD technology still needs more refinement, the near-to-eye display concept is a viable alternative to a HUD.

File Size: 159K
Product Status: In Stock

See other papers presented at SAE 2009 AeroTech Congress & Exhibition, November 2009, Seattle, WA, USA, Session: Avionics - Display, Cockpit and IFE Systems (Part 2 of 2)

Purchase more technical papers and save! With TechSelect, you decide what SAE Technical Papers you need, when you need them, and how much you want to pay. Learn more >