Flight versus simulator scan behavior

Abstract

It is pointed out that most of the modern flight simulators used for pilot training have included expensive motion bases, while the quantitative justification for motion is lacking. The present investigation is concerned with the effects of flight versus simulator conditions on scan behavior as a function of control mode and the presence or absence of traffic on the map display. Matching tests conducted in flight and in a fixed-base simulator permitted an evaluation of the differences in scanning behavior in the real world (flight) and in the 'less real' world (simulator). Scanning behavior in flight was found to be significantly different from the simulator. In flight, the dwell percentage increased on the Electronic Attitude Direction Indicator (EADI), and decreased on the Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator (EHSI). The average dwell time on all instruments decreased in flight.