Distance Estimation with Night Vision Goggles: A Little Feedback Goes a Long Way

Abstract

Immediate feedback was given to correct observers' estimates of distance in an experiment in which those estimates were made outdoors at night while observers wore night vision goggles (NVGs). Initially observers made unguided estimates of distances between marked positions in an open field. Those distances ranged from 7.6 m (25 ft) to 64 m (210 ft). Later the same observers made more estimates. After each of these they were told the measured distance between the positions. During this training, the observers' height from the ground plane was either at a standing position or at an elevated position raised 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in) from standing position. After the training -- either immediately after, a week later, or at both times -- observers made unguided estimates of distance for a second time. These latter estimates of ground distance made with the NVGs were improved. Average improvement of the observers' estimates persisted for at least one week after training. This training can be applied to improve clearance estimates and estimates of hover height for pilots of rotarywing aircraft.