Effect of a Predictor Display on Carrier Landing Performance. Part II. Laboratory Mechanization.

Abstract : A three-phase program was conducted to determine the effect of a predictor display on carrier landing performance. Part 2 describes the laboratory mechanization for the experiment in detail. Pilot's night carrier landing approach performance was measured as altitude and lateral error from glideslope and centerline using the predictor display, the baseline display and a glideslope reference element of the predictor display. The predictor display proved to be superior to the baseline display. It reduced vertical and lateral error variability during approach, increased the number of approaches within a joint FLOLS/lateral error envelope, increased the number of 'acceptable' approaches and produced approaches less variable than those observed in the fleet. The baseline display was found to be a valid simulation of the night carrier landing task. The glideslope reference element was found to contribute to the superiority of the predictor display but was judged inadequate as an independent display. Further development of the predictor display for introduction to the fleet is recommended. (Modified author abstract)