Transport Aircraft Cockpit Program: An Evaluation of a Baseline Cockpit Configuration Promoting Crew Reduction in Tactical Transport Aircraft.

Abstract : The objective of the Transport Aircraft Cockpit program (TRAC) is to develop, test and evaluate a mission-driven crew station design for tactical transport aircraft. This report details the first phase of this program: the evaluation of TRAC's functional baseline established for primary flight, communication and navigation, and engine control and monitoring under two levels of task loading. This evaluation was conducted with 14 operational C-141 and C-130 pilots performing in two person crews, flying two simulated missions. Task-load was manipulated in an effort to expose any control and display deficiencies. Subjective workload was measured with the SWAT (Subjective Workload Assessment Technique) and SWORD (Subjective WORKload Dominance). SWAT ratings were collected to identity the mission segments with moderate to high workload. The SWORD technique was then employed to identify the control and display systems contributing to workload in those segments identified by SWAT. Finally, a systems questionnaire was administered to investigate the operability, intelligibility, effectiveness, and compatibility of each control and display. This report describes both the process of the TRAC evaluation as well as the evaluation results. (AN)