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Embry-Riddle Scholarly Commons · Conference paper

Evaluating GA Pilots' Interpretation of New Automated Weather Products

Published 2017-08-16 From Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 6 authors
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Attribution

This is the abstract and citation. Full text lives at Embry-Riddle Scholarly Commons — we link out rather than host. All credit to the authors and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Abstract

Verbatim from Embry-Riddle Scholarly Commons. Not paraphrased, not summarized.

Introduction: Over the past 30 years, General Aviation (GA) operations have incurred the majority of weather related accidents in civil aviation operations. Aviation weather knowledge and skills are imperative for hazardous weather avoidance and safe flight activity. Previous research suggests applying human-computer interaction (HCI) principles to weather products may promote better decision-making among pilots. Currently, the Aviation Weather Center (AWC) generates two forms of graphical weather products for reporting icing, turbulence, and visibility: traditional human-in-the-loop products (G-AIRMETs Ice, Tango, and Sierra) and the fully-automated products (CIP/FIP, GTG, and CVA). This study compares pilots’ interpretation of fully-automated products against their interpretation of human-in-loop products. Method: Participants (n=131) completed a series of weather product interpretation questions. Mixed ANOVAs were conducted to analyze the effects of pilot certificate and/or rating (Student, Private, Private w/Instrument, Commercial w/ Instrument) and product generation (traditional vs. automated) on product interpretation scores. Results: Regardless of product generation, pilots displayed similar levels of proficiency when interpreting the icing and ceiling/visibility products. However, pilots’ performed significantly better on the new fully automated turbulence product (GTG) than on the traditional human-in-the-loop turbulence product (AIRMET Tango). Discussion: Producing more user-friendly weather products may make weather product interpretation easier for novice pilots.

Authors

  • King, Jayde M. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Ortiz, Yolanda Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Guinn, Thomas A., Ph.D. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Blickensderfer, Elizabeth L., Ph.D. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Thomas, Robert L. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • DeFilippis, Nicholas Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Keywords

  • Weather
  • General Aviation
  • Flight Safety

Citation: King, Jayde M., Ortiz, Yolanda, Guinn, Thomas A., Ph.D. , et al. (2017). Evaluating GA Pilots' Interpretation of New Automated Weather Products. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Embry-Riddle Scholarly Commons ID oai:commons.erau.edu:ntas-1125. https://commons.erau.edu/ntas/2017/presentations/35 ↗