FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
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AVIATION MEDICINE REPORTS

Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-98/12

Title and Subtitle: GPS Design Considerations: Displaying Nearest Airport Information

Report Date: April 1998

Authors: Williams, K.W.

Abstract: Thirty-six participants were tested in a flight simulator on their ability to orient toward the nearest airport, based on the manner in which information was presented on a global positioning system (GPS) display. Results indicated that use of the tabular, text-only format normally found on such displays was significantly slower and less accurate than either a map display of nearest airport information or a text display that included an orientation symbol. In addition, it was found that pilots tended to ignore information available from the heading indicator, and instead, focused solely on the GPS display to perform the task. Discussion of the results includes the need to support pilot decision-making through interface design and the development of design guidelines for GPS displays.

Key Words: Global Positioning System, Human-Computer Interface, Aircraft Displays, Applied Psychology

No. of Pages: 18