REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGEForm AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank)2. REPORT DATE February 1999 REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED Interim -November 1995 to February 1999 TITLE AND SUBTITLE Preliminary Recommendations for the Electronic Display of Graphical Aircraft Maintenance Information AUTHOR(S)Laurie L. Quill, David E. Kancler, Patrick Pohle, Barbara L. Masquelier PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)University Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 12b. DISTRIBUTION CODE ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 words)The conversion of paper schematic diagrams to electronic display presentations requires identification and analysis of associated cognitive demands. Schematic diagrams are typically used by expert maintainers in troubleshooting aircraft faults, These expert maintainers must rely on skill, rule, and knowledge-based behavior to successfully use these diagrams. In this task, the Applied Cognitive Task Analysis (ACTA) method was employed to elicit knowledge associated with using schematic diagrams for troubleshooting. Eleven F-15 maintenance technicians were interviewed. Results showed that schematic diagrams not only support the basic abilities required for troubleshooting; they also allow for visualization of the dynamic flow of system relations and process activities on the aircraft. The ACTA method identified the cues and strategies used to mentally depict system flow. Efforts to convert schematic diagrams to electronic display presentations should support the basic troubleshooting abilities, as well as the cues and strategies that depict dynamic system flow.

The Crew Survivability and Logistics Division of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/HES) is currently directing a program of research focused on enhancing the task environment for programmed depot maintenance (PDM) technicians. One issue being addressed by the Integrated Technical Information for the Air Logistics Centers (ITI-ALC) program is the appropriate insertion of advanced technologies into the PDM task environment. One challenge facing AFRL/HES was to identify those PDM functions for which the insertion of ITI-ALC technologies would be most beneficial. This paper describes how the application of a traditional human factors-based systems analysis led to the identification of these functions.

REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188Public reporting burden for this collection of informetion ie eetimeted to «verege 1 hour per reeponae, including the time for reviewing instruction«, searching existing d«U source«. Bothering and maintaining the date needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of informetion. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank)2. REPORT DATE February 1999 REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED Interim -November 1995 to February 1999 TITLE AND SUBTITLE Preliminary Recommendations for the Electronic Display of Graphical Aircraft Maintenance Information AUTHOR(S)Laurie L. Quill, David E. Kancler, Patrick Pohle, Barbara L. Masquelier PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)University Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 12b. DISTRIBUTION CODE ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 words)The conversion of paper schematic diagrams to electronic display presentations requires identification and analysis of associated cognitive demands. Schematic diagrams are typically used by expert maintainers in troubleshooting aircraft faults, These expert maintainers must rely on skill, rule, and knowledge-based behavior to successfully use these diagrams. In this task, the Applied Cognitive Task Analysis (ACTA) method was employed to elicit knowledge associated with using schematic diagrams for troubleshooting. Eleven F-15 maintenance technicians were interviewed. Results showed that schematic diagrams not only support the basic abilities required for troubleshooting; they also allow for visualization of the dynamic flow of system relations and process activities on the aircraft. The ACTA method identified the cues and strategies used to mentally depict system flow. Efforts to convert schematic diagrams to electronic display presentations should support the basic troubleshooting abilities, as well as the cues and strategies that depict dynamic system flow.