Have we overlooked the pilot's role in an automated flight deck

Having adopted a philosophy of presenting situation information rather than command type as evidenced in flight directors and of keeping the pilot in a decision-making role, a series of simulation and flight experiments has occurred over a number of years as part of the Langley Terminal Configured Vehicle program. This paper traces the development, refinement, and integration of electronic pictorial displays, and a computer augmented velocity vector control mode. Some benefits and performances derived within the basic philosophy and information usage are brought forth in the discussion as results from the various simulator and flight evaluations are presented.