The Research and Development Division of the USAF Instrument Flight Center conducted a pilot factors evaluation of a 5-inch vertical scale altimeter and a vertical scale airspeed indicator to determine the utility and suitability of the displays. Fifteen subject pilots in the Instrument Flight Center were used for the evaluation. Each subject pilot flew two sorties of approximately 1.2 hours' duration in the RD T-38 aircraft. Based on the responses of the subject pilots and observations of the project pilots, the Instrument Flight Center deems it inadvisable to adopt the altimeter display as either a primary or standby instrument without major modifications. The proposed modifications are to include a command altitude marker, enlarge the numerals on the tape, expand the 100-foot scale, redesign the 1000-foot scale to reduce or eliminate reading errors, and incorporate a vertical velocity indicator tape display. The airspeed display was considered adequate for inclusion in USAF aircraft as both a primary and secondary display. The modifications recommended by the subject pilots are to include an airspeed command marker, change the scaling to 5-knot increments to increase reading accuracy, and include a mach indicator. These modifications will not affect the basic adequacy of the airspeed display but will enhance its overall readability and utility. (Author)
Five-Inch Vertical Scale Tape Altimeter and Airspeed Indicator Evaluation
1975
24 pages
Report
No indication
English
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