Comparison of Helicopter Copilot Workload While Using Three Navigation Systems during Nap-of-the-Earth Flight

Three different generic navigation systems were examined for their effects on helicopter copilotnavigator workload and performance during nap-of- the-earth NOE flight. The navigation systems examined were 1 the conventional 150,000 scale topgraphic hand-held map, 2 a Doppler navigation system in conjunction with a hand-held map, and 3 a projected map system driven by Doppler signals in conjunction with a hand-held map. Eighteen pilots performed copilotnavigator duties in an Army JUH-1H utility helicopter flown by a laboratory research pilot. Data collected included measures of navigation performance, pilot-copilot communications, and copilotnavigator eye movements. The results indicate that automatic navigation systems like the ones used here improve navigation performance by enabling the aircrew to reach their destination with reduced in-flight delays, at a faster airspeed, and with fewer and smaller navigation errors. The number of verbal exchanges between the copilot and pilot was reduced when using the Doppler system versus the hand-held map alone. Subjects who used the Doppler also spent less time navigating. When using a projected map system, copilotnavigators experienced a lower level of visual workload and spent 10 more time looking outside the cockpit.