Human engineering problems in the operation of controls and the design of aircraft instruments

  • W.T.V. Adiseshiah Defence Science Laboratory, New Delhi
Keywords: Aircraft instruments, Design, Control

Abstract

"Speed and accuracy in performance are major considerations in the design of man-machine systems which involve displays for presenting information to the senses, and controls for human use. Sensory capacity, mobility and muscle strength, mental stamina, and capacity for team work are psychological factors which call for appropriate attention. In the design and selection of control devices, it is important to consider size and shape, location and action of the control devices. These should be compatible with the element to be controlled. four matters call for attention: firstly, control dimensions should take into consideration the normal hand grasp limitations of the operator. Secondly, knob of the controls should be suitably shape coded so as to forestall inadvertent operation of wrong controls. Thirdly, controls which have to be used most often should be placed within convenient reach of the operator. Fourthly, the human operator cannot be expected to perform at maximum capacity for any great length of time. Correctly positioned power controls are being increasingly used in present day aircraft. In the design of aircraft instruments and the layout of flying panels, the limitations of the human operator, emergencies which are likely to arise during flight, and imperfections in the indications of instruments need to be taken into account. The design of aircraft instruments such as the altimeter, the air speed indicator, and the artificial horizon, are being improved from time to time so as to meet the new requirements in flying. Single and multiple instrument combinations have effected a saving of time in locating parts of a total picture, e.g. the composite indication of fuel state in modern aircraft. Many unsolved problems still remain with regard to the use of certain items such as the aiming, photographic and oxygen equipments. "
Published
2014-05-27
How to Cite
Adiseshiah, W. (2014). Human engineering problems in the operation of controls and the design of aircraft instruments. Defence Science Journal, 8(3), 289-300. https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.8.7601
Section
Research Papers