Effectivity for Early Feasibility Evaluation Methodology about Novel Instrument Layout Design of Civil Aircraft

Abstract

The authors have proposed the evaluation methodology in early design phase for the feasibility of novel instrument layout to be applied for the next generation aircraft, based on the MIL-HDBK guideline. However, the methodology has not been widely evaluated for its effectivity yet whether it could facilitate the critical design issue findings and mitigates the risk for late issue finding. This paper evaluated the effectivity of proposed methodology by applying it for the novel instrument layout design and comparing the result with (1) the one of the conventional layout design, and (2) with pilots' eye trajectory data measured by camera through simulated flight, and with (3) the result of conventional methodology which is typically conducted under early design phase. The results showed that the methodology (1) identified the critical design issue and the idea for solution, (2) had a data which is consistent with the measured data, and (3) improved bias and coverage than the one of conventional methodology. Therefore, it confirmed that proposed methodology is potentially effective to facilitate the critical design issue findings and mitigates the risk for late issue finding, in order not to bring the potential issue over in service but to keep flight safety.