Display on Demand Method Increases Time Spent Looking Outside the Cockpit

Abstract. Modern on-board instrumentation can lead to distraction, particularly by absorbing attention inside the cockpit, which reduces air safety. The display on demand (DoD) method tested here aims to impede that problem for glider and visual flight rules (VFR) pilots. In total, 21 students were assigned to either an experimental or a control group in a pre- and post-test design. In the experimental group, the cockpit instruments were displayed on the participants’ demand to allow for the orientation of visual attention out of the cockpit. Three types of basic exercises were tested. Skills acquisition was measured while evaluating the ability to follow flight indications given by the instructor such as airspeed, and visual attention was measured by an eye tracker. All participants improved their performance after training. Compared with classic training, the DoD method allows participants to spend more time looking outside the cockpit without any impact on the subjective workload. This is a promising method for ab initio flight training.