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Three menu layouts were compared for objective and subjective performance, as well as overall preference. The menus structures consisted of an index layout, a vertical cascading layout, and a horizontal cascading layout. Significant differences in search time were revealed between the three menu item layouts that favored the index menu layout. In addition, there was a non-reliable trend that favored the subjective opinion that the index layout was less disorientating than the other two layouts. Moreover, participants selected the index layout as their first preference choice more than the other two layouts. The poorest performer, both objectively and subjectively, was the horizontal layout. Possible reasons for these outcomes are discussed.

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The advent of computer-based avionics in piston-powered and light jet aircraft is arguably the most significant change to occur in recent general aviation history. Lessons learned from the airlines' incorporation of glass cockpits suggest that pilots require new knowledge and skills to safely transition into these airplanes. This study used Pathfinder associative networks to evaluate the structural knowledge of flight instructors approved to provide instruction in Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA). The goal was to determine if the structural knowledge obtained by pilots operating TAA represent information that is incorporated into existing cognitive models or if the knowledge and skills are distinct, requiring the creation of a new model. The results show that TAAs require pilots to learn distinct new skills and that their experience with traditional avionics plays a very small role in their successful transition into TAA aircraft.

A unique challenge for the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle is the need for a novel cursor control device (CCD) that allows the crew to interact with display formats while seated and restrained. Display formats will contain "controllable elements" that will be used for input by astronauts, and will most likely not be laid out in a rectilinear grid. A four-way "caged" castle switch on the CCD was designed to travel only to controllable elements toward decreasing erroneous cursor movements. The ability of the four-way castle to intuitively navigate the cursor from a user perspective is a vital consideration. A cursor expectations study was conducted to understand dominant user expectations for CCD movements when controllable elements are not arranged on a rectilinear grid. Algorithms were developed that governed cursor movement in such a way as to match the dominant user expectations, to support the development of user mental models for cursor behavior, and to guide designers when laying out display formats.