| During July and August of 1998, a simulation was conducted at the Air Force Research Laboratory located in Mesa, Arizona. This simulation generated over 500,000 lines of data, centered on pilot performance on a series of precision instrument approaches in a high technology F-16 simulator. The data came out of a simulation that was part of a Federal Aviation Administration grant with Arizona State University to evaluate out-of-the-box ideas for Approach Lighting Systems. The apparatus used during the simulation was a state-of-the-art, high-fidelity F-16 simulator with 360° visual capabilities. The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the data, determine trends, patterns and answer questions and concerns that arose based on the simulation. A control group consisting of four pilots and a test group consisting of 27 pilots flew 18 randomized missions in the F-16 simulator. Each pilot held an FAA instrument rating, at a minimum, but their experience level varied from low-time general aviation pilots, to active airline pilots, to F-16 simulator operators. Each of these missions produced over 100 data points for each subject. A detailed analysis of the simulation data formed the basis of this thesis.; When the data was reorganized into a usable format, 72 graphs were prepared to facilitate current and future comparisons using randomized combinations of the following criteria: Heads Up Display OFF/ON, Daytime, Dusk/Dawn, or Nighttime, and Above, At or Below minimum meteorological conditions. A statistical analysis was accomplished using three sets of tests: descriptive statistical analysis, an F-test and a Z-test. The analyzed data provided some useful expected and some unexpected results. Areas of future research and concern for Approach Lighting Systems and the operators who use these landing aids are also discussed. |
