Ecological display symbology to support pilot situational awareness during shipboard operations

Abstract

We present two critical elements from the design of a cockpit heads-down display symbology to support safe and efficient shipboard landings of rotorcraft in degraded visual environments. The symbology applies ecological interface design (EID) principles to support pilots' direct perception of critical vehicle operating characteristics within the limitations of safety and performance constraints (while remaining viable in daylight, nighttime, and night-vision compatible viewing contexts). Our approach combines precision, ship-relative navigation (PS-RN) information with automated flight director cues in an integrated heads-down display designed for cockpit multifunction displays to help pilots perceive, understand, and respond to dynamic landing situations.