Effects of Display Location and Information Level on UAS Pilot Assessments of a Detect and Avoid System

Abstract

Minimum display requirements and performance standards for Detect and Avoid (DAA) systems are currently being developed to safely integrate Unmanned Aircraft Systems into the National Airspace System (NAS). The present study examines UAS pilots’ subjective assessments of four display configurations with either basic or advanced levels of information presented on a standalone or integrated display. Post-trial and post-simulation questionnaires queried pilots on their subjective ability to safely perform tasks and effectively utilize available information on each display. Responses indicated that the majority of pilots considered each display to be acceptable for a pilot-in-the-loop DAA task overall, but also revealed a strong preference for an integrated display with advanced information in the form of conflict resolution tools. Implications on the development of DAA display requirements, as well as the relation between the subjective evaluations and the objective performance data from previous studies are discussed.