Citation

Lyons TJ, Gillingham KK, Teas DC, Ercoline WR, Oakley C. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 1990; 61(8): 699-706.

Affiliation

U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base, TX.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Aerospace Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2400372

Abstract

An initial version of an acoustic orientation instrument (AOI), in which airspeed was displayed as sound frequency, vertical velocity as amplitude modulation rate, and bank angle as right-left lateralization, was evaluated in a T-40 (Link GAT-3) motion-based simulator. In this study, 15 pilots and 3 non-pilots were taught to use the AOI and flew simulated flight profiles under conditions of neither visual nor auditory instrumentation (NO INPUT), AOI signals only (AOI), T-40 simulator instrumentation only (VISUAL), and T-40 simulator instrumentation with AOI signals (BOTH). Bank control under AOI conditions was significantly better than under the NO INPUT condition for all flying tasks. Bank control under VISUAL conditions was significantly better than under the AOI condition only during turning and when performing certain complex secondary tasks. The pilots' ability to use the AOI to control vertical velocity and airspeed was less apparent. However, during straight-and-level flight, turns, and descents the AOI provided the pilots with sufficient information to maintain controlled flight. Factors of potential importance in using sound to convey aircraft attitude and motion information are discussed.

Language: en