| The majority of aviation accidents are caused by human error. Augmented cognition and automation systems enhance pilot performance by evaluating system limitations and flight precision and performance. This study examines the human-machine interface in cockpit design using the tenets of augmented cognition and automation systems theory in terms of task allocation, attentional resources, and situational awareness. The study compares how these principles apply to and interact with each other and with a human/pilot in a closed-loop system. A method for integrating augmented cognition systems into airplane flight management systems is presented. Systems enhancement is demonstrated by experiments in which test pilots flew two simulated flights, once without and once with an augmented cognition system. Pilot and airplane performance, pilot's situational awareness, workload management, and pilot's use of cockpit checklists were measured, as well as flight precision along four axes: (1) altitude, (2) course, (3) radial/bearing, and heading, and (4) airspeed. |
