Aviation Research
My research in aviation has centered on two general issues:
1. The effect of functional information presentation on performance and learning.
2. The development of training systems to improve pilot’s understanding of flight deck automation.
While both projects began with different goals, both hinge on a simple observation - humans’ abilities to use complex systems are highly constrained by their insight into how the system functions. While this seems fairly straightforward, pilots often lack tools that provide adequate insight into system functioning.
Both research projects explore this concept from different perspectives. One approach is to provide better designs, while another is to provide better training to account for current design limitations.
Functional Displays
My display research examines how piloting performance and knowledge changes as a function of changing the information that is presented. One method of displaying information focuses on displaying the underlying functionality of the display, referred to as Functional Interface Design Theory. For more information on the potential of Functional Aviation Displays and the research supporting this theory, visit the functional display page for research on the Oz Display.
Automation Training
Functional interface design theory details the improvements possible if a system can be redesigned. But what if the system cannot be redesigned, and users are constrained to the information originally presented by the system? When faced with such a situation, effective training becomes a viable alternative. This is especially important in pilots’ understanding of complex, automated flight decks. Standard aviation training relies on the memorization of procedures to properly operate the aircraft automation. However, procedures can be forgotten, and the memorization of procedures without a greater understanding of how the system operates could lead to errors in practice. One training method the GMU research team has been investigating is the effect of conceptual system knowledge - knowledge about how the system operates - to improve performance beyond conceptual knowledge. For more information on conceptual training on the flight deck, follow any of the links above.