Touch Screen Use on Flight Simulator Instructor/Operator Stations

The goal of this study was to aid designers in selecting the best data input device for the design of InstructorOperator Stations IOSs. A literature review of touch screen, mouse, and trackball technologies is provided. IOS users were surveyed to evaluate the use of touch screens with several military flight simulators. IOS users experience level, frequency of touch screen interaction, and familiarity with touch screen, mouse, and trackball devices are provides, along with data on the tasks performed, required accuracy, parallax, arm fatigue, and feelings toward touch screen use. It is concluded that, although touch screens are being used by persons with too much experience and for tasks reported in the literature to be inappropriate, results are generally satisfactory. However, it is recommended that input devices should be matched with the tasks performed.