Human performance analysis of Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications

The researcher examined how the introduction and application of Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) technology will affect human performance in the single-pilot general aviation work environment. Unlike conventional voice-based air traffic control (ATC) communications technology, the CPDLC system will allow pilots and controllers to exchange text-based messages via specifically designated data links. Instrument-rated pilots ( N = 30) were tested on both a series of CPDLC text command tasks and a series of conventional voice command tasks in a simulated flight environment. Measures of performance were response time and number of errors made in pilot recall/execution across the command condition (voice or text) given the level of command workload (high, moderate, or low) and order of flight presentation (voice or text first). Results revealed a statistically significant decrease in both errors in pilot recall/execution and response times in moving from the conventional voice ATC commands to the CPDLC text commands. Results were significant across all levels of air traffic control command loads (high, moderate, and low). However, a conservative post hoc analysis revealed no significant decrease in pilot response time at the moderate load ATC command level. The results of this study supported the view that human performance can be improved when complex information was presented in visual form and users can refer to the text again. Further data analysis revealed that while pilots responding to the high parameter load text commands had both significantly fewer errors and reduced response times than when responding to the high parameter load voice commands; this performance effect appears to diminish at the moderate and low command workloads. Results lend support for a text-based communications technology which extends pilot's working memory, thereby improving both accuracy and efficiency in performing flight tasks to complex commands.