Article
Pilot Performance Comparison Between Electronic and Paper Instrument Approach Charts
Safety Science
(2018)
Abstract
Electronic flight bags (EFB’s) have become common in the era of technologically advanced aircraft (TAA) and
glass cockpits. However, many pilots still rely on paper charts as backups in case of electronic failures. The
purpose of this study was to examine pilot performance differences when using electronic and paper instrument
approach charts. Twenty-nine participants from a large university completed the study in a fixed-based flight-training device (FTD). While completing a flight between two major cities, the participants were asked to answer
questions on instrument approach charts using an electronic flight bag. Halfway through the questions, the
electronic flight bag was said to have failed, and participants were provided with paper charts. The findings
indicate that participants’ response time was significantly lower using electronic charts over paper ones. Flight
performance, as observed via video footage, indicated far worse control of altitude and course when using paper
charts than when electronic charts were used. In a post-test instrument, participants’ poorly estimated the their
average response time to questions in both conditions. Finally, participants’ indicated that they felt the use of
electronic charts reduced their workload as measured by the NASA TLX. The paper discusses the practical applications of these findings.
Keywords
- electronic flight bags,
- NASA TLX,
- workload,
- flight performance,
- skill degradation
Disciplines
Publication Date
March, 2018
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2017.12.016
Citation Information
Scott R. Winter, Mattie N. Milner, Stephen Rice, Dylan Bush, et al.. "Pilot Performance Comparison Between Electronic and Paper Instrument Approach Charts" Safety Science Vol. 103 (2018) p. 280 - 286 ISSN: 0925-7535 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/scott_winter/22/