A Comparison of Keyboard Designs for Cockpit Applications

This study was designed to compare three keyboard layouts and two feedback display locations under two simulated flight conditions. The dependent variables were data entry time, data entry errors, and the degree of interference with flight performance. Twenty-four helicopter pilots served as subjects. A mixed design was used with repeated measures on flying task and feedback display location, and with independent observations on keyboard type. The keyboard layouts included with Doppler arrangement, a telephone layout with two letters per key, and a full keyboard with the alpha and numeric keys separate the feedback display locations were on the keyboard and on the panel in front of the pilot. One flight condition simulated low-level flight with obstacles the other simulated straight and level instrument flight rules IFR. The keyboard was always operated with a gloved left hand. The task was to enter navigational coordinate sets when prompted. The results showed the Doppler arrangement to be superior in the response time and input time. There were significantly fewer errors when the feedback display was located on the panel.