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Currently accessible technologies are providing entirely new display concepts for enhancing helicopter navigation. Yet the effectiveness of such displays depends on the extent to which they are configured according to principles from research on human performance. Computer generated map displays in the present study were configured according to previous research on maps, navigational problem solving, and spatial cognition in large scale environments. Interest centered on the representation of different spatial relationships that would best support helicopter navigational problem solving. One map display emphasized the global relationships between objects in the environment. The other map showed the pilot's relationship to objects as he travelled through the environment Twenty skilled pilots used the maps to complete several navigational tasks that occurred within a realistic simulation program tailored for helicopter navigation. Findings indicate that the type of task and mode of flight (low level or Nap of the Earth (NOE)) are important determinants of map display effectiveness.

Previous studies suggest that many of the discomforts associated with VDT use may be attributed to poor working conditions and to the task itself However, the relationship between visual complaints and specific display characteristics of the VDT is not entirely clear. This study investigated the effect of the temporal characteristics of VDT display luminance on temporal resolution of the visual system. Subjective ratings of visual discomfort and task performance were also considered. Ten individuals performed a visual search task for three hours at either a VDT display or back-projection display system. The only difference between these two displays was the temporal characteristics of display luminance. Environmental factors were equated for both conditions. Despite the similarity between conditions, temporal resolution decreased over time and individuals reported increased task difficulty, difficulty in concentrating, tired eyes, and the need to shut eyes more often for VDT use.

Two experiments explored the ability of individuals to integrate several sources of information about units or conceptual objects. The task domain might describe the air traffic controller's monitoring of the horizontal and vertical separation of several aircraft, the process controller's supervision of the temperature, pressure, and entropy of several energy systems, or any other multidimensional database. The first experiment examined working memory limits for different object-attribute combinations. When subjects monitored a display with a smaller number of objects with more attributes, responses were slower but significantly more accurate than for a larger number of objects with few attributes. In the second experiment, interest centered on how variations of proximity affect the detection of events that occur within a multidimensional database. Results showed that the use of color and spatial position to define proximity facilitated information integration and thereby event detection.