An Optimal Control Methodology for Analyzing the Effects of Display Parameters on Performance and Workload in Manual Flight Control

An approach to the analysis of the effects of display parameters on manual control based on an optimal control model of the human operator and a related model for task interference is presented. The methodology allows one to predict the effects of changes in display variables on both performance and attentional demand or workload. The methodology is applied to vertical situation displays for STOL (short takeoff and landing) approach-to-landing. Both status displays and displays of command information are examined and compared in terms of approach success probability and workload requirements.