The Wearable Instrument Approach For Pilots

Abstract

Pilot errors caused by heads-down time or misinterpretation of published instrument approach procedures have been attributed to multiple incidents of fatal controlled flight into terrain while approaching airports in instrument meteorological conditions. This study was motivated by the idea that wearable heads-up devices such as Google Glass can supplement standard paper or tablet-based instrument approach plates by decreasing heads-down time and pilot error. In order to evaluate the utility of Google Glass in the field of aviation, this thesis was comprised of two phases: the development of a custom instrument approach software application for Google Glass, and the execution of a simulator study to compare the effects between the usage of Google Glass and current tablet-based instrument approach plates in regards to pilot error, preference, and heads-down time. Results showed that the introduction of Google Glass into the cockpit can help pilots fly a safer approach when compared to simply using a tablet-based approach plate alone. More specifically, when Google Glass was used together with a tablet-based instrument approach plate, pilots had a quicker reaction time when they did indeed commit a navigational error, and their total heads-down time was reduced, allowing them to focus more on cockpit instrumentation and flying the aircraft. While Google Glass is currently a moot point in the gadget world, the knowledge gained from this research should translate well to the development of more advanced software for forthcoming wearable heads-up devices.