ASSESSING CREW INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ADVANCED DIAGNOSTIC AND PROGNOSTIC SYSTEMS: IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERFACE AND TRAINING DESIGN

Advanced diagnostic technologies that track and fuse sensor observables have been used to provide improved information for helicopter maintenance purposes. Because these systems can provide detailed information about emerging system anomalies, such systems have recently been considered for use during in-flight operations. Unfortunately, while important progress has been made in the area of technologies that can provide diagnostic information, very little is known about what information is actually required by the aircrews. One reason for the lack of knowledge is because few systematic approaches exist to structure and design investigations of the dynamic processes used by aircrews during complex task performance. The current paper will: (a) describe the concept of aircrew information requirements, (b) discuss a methodology that can be used to structure and guide investigations of aircrew information requirements, (c) present results from a test of the methodology using operational aircrews, and (d) outline the implications of the methodology for future interface and training design.