Techniques for performing human factors evaluation of aircraft controls and displays

Modern aircraft are composed of various sub-systems which provide the means to execute the mission for which the vehicle was designed. Flight controls, aircraft configuration, navigation, detection and tracking, armament, and environmental systems require manipulation by the aircrew. Aircraft, in general, are manually operated and therefore must provide interfaces between the human operator and the individual systems. In the design process, human factors engineering principles can be utilized to optimize this interface. Recent advancements in technology have improved aircraft system performance and agility; however, the operator has become the limiting factor in design complexity. The purpose of this thesis is to develop standardized procedures for conducting human factors evaluation of aircraft systems controls and displays. Initially human factors considerations and guidelines are presented. The thesis will then document test methodology to be utilized by test aircrew or engineers to perform both ground and flight evaluations. The scope of these tests is to provide a foundation to identify system human factors deficiencies, analyze their conformance with applicable design specifications, and determine their affects on the capability of the aircraft to accomplish the designed mission.