Human-Computer Interaction in Aerospace

Aviation’s interest with concepts relevant to human-computer interaction began with the need to understand how pilots could interact with mechanical displays that indicated such things as airspeed, altitude, aircraft orientation, heading, and bearing from a radio navigation aid. When aircraft technology progressed and displays became more numerous and more complex, the interface issues became more pronounced. Developments, such as complex flight management systems, multifunction displays, highly integrated information systems, alerting and warning systems, and sophisticated automatic control capability have presented even more complex challenges for aviation professionals and researchers. One proposal is to equip flight decks with a Cockpit Display of Traffic Information system, and utilize an advanced form of the current Traffic Collision and Avoidance System. A second proposal is to utilize a centralized system for providing alerts. Many of the difficulties associated with the concepts originated as higher levels of automation were added to the flight deck.