An user evaluation of the ARNAV weather information system

Weather is a factor in approximately 30% of aviation accidents. Weather is also responsible for approximately two-thirds of air carrier delays- a four billion dollar cost, of which 1.7 billion dollars are considered avoidable. The goal of NASA's AWIN (Aviation Weather Information Network) program is to provide improved weather information to users in the National Airspace System, and to foster the improved usage of this information (http://awin.larc.nasa.gov). One of the avenues pursued by AWN is to improve the availability of weather information in cockpits of general aviation aircrafts. NASA funded a project by ARNAV Systems Inc. for the development of a system that provides graphical and text weather information in the cockpit of general aviation aircraft. Our study investigates how ARNAV weather system users evaluate their weather information system. The dimensions used for evaluation are based upon discussions with researchers at NASA Langley Research Center and the human factors literature, and include usability criteria such as efficiency, satisfaction, memorability, and errors, as well as design criteria such as the display size, location, symbols, functionality, information content and quality. In-depth interviews were carried out with seven pilots from the Virginia Department of Aviation in Richmond. Results helped identify design improvements that would enhance the usability of the weather information system. Findings of this study are important because they will lead to improved system design and also offer directions for future research.