PILOT SIMULATOR PERFORMANCE WITH STANDARD AND VERTICAL READING PRIMARY FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS

Pilot performance in a flight simulator was objectively measured with 30 Air Force jet qualified pilots using standard and vertical reading primary flight instruments. During the completion of a simulated mission profile, five flight parameters were selectively sampled and scored heading, altitude, mach, vertical rate, and airspeed. Comparing the standard and vertical instruments, the following results were obtained 1 Heading performance with the standard reading side instruments was superior to the vertical instruments. 2 Altitude performance was found to be significantly better with the standard reading instrument. 3 Mach performance was significantly better with the vertical reading instrument. 4 Vertical rate performance indicated no significant differences between standard and vertical reading instruments. 5 Airspeed performance indicated no significant difference between standard and vertical reading instruments.