RESEARCH IN VISUAL PERCEPTION FOR CARRIER LANDING

An experimental study was performed to determine the accuracy and consistency with which Navy pilots can estimate position on the glide slope and flight path or aim point during dusk and night carrier landings. The investigation was based on the pilots using only natural cues on the visual environment for landings during a relatively quiet sea state, without the presence of angular deck motion. A visual carrier landing simulator was developed to provide the pilots with a realistic, dynamic, three-dimensional condition of the external visual field during final approach and landing. Six qualified carrier pilots served as test subjects in the glide slope studies, and three of these pilots also participated in the aim point studies. The test data were evaluated by a novel psychometric technique which permitted independent estimates of mean response bias, sensitivity to changes in stimulus, and variability of response. (Author)