NASA Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

generally convex back surface, and at least one sensor element attached to the concave front surface for acquiring acoustic
fetal heart signals produced by a fetus within a body. The sensor element has a shape that conforms to the generally concave
back surface of the backing plate. In one embodiment, the at least one sensor element comprises an inner sensor, and a plurality
of outer sensors surrounding the inner sensor. The fetal heart monitoring system can further comprise a web belt, and a web
belt guide movably attached to the web belt. The web belt guide being is to the convex back surface of the backing plate.
Author
Heart; Monitors; Signal Transmission
52
AEROSPACE MEDICINE
Includes the biological and physiological effects of atmospheric and space flight (weightlessness, space radiation, acceleration, and
altitude stress) on the human being; and the prevention of adverse effects on those environments. For psychological and behavioral
effects of aerospace environments, see 53 Behavioral Sciences. For the effects of space on animals and plants see 51 Life Sciences.
20040111301 NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, USA
Line Pilots’ Attitudes about and Experience with Flight Deck Automation: Results of an International Survey and
Proposed Guidelines
Rudisill, Marianne; Proceedings of the Eighth International Symposium on Aviation Psychology; 1995; 6 pp.; In English;
Eighth International Symposium on Aviation Psychology, 1995, Columbus, OH, USA; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A02,
Hardcopy
A survey of line pilots’ attitudes about flight deck automation was conducted by the Royal Air Force Institute of Aviation
Medicine (RAF IAM, Farnborough, UK) under the sponsorship of the UK s Civil Aviation Authority and in cooperation with
IATA (the International Air Transport Association). Survey freehand comments given by pilots operating 13 types of
commercial transports across five manufacturers (Airbus, Boeing, British Aerospace, Lockheed, and McDonnell-Douglas) and
57 air carriers/organizations were analyzed by NASA. These data provide a ‘lessons learned’ knowledge base which may be
used for the definition of guidelines for flight deck automation and its associated crew interface within the High Speed
Research Program. The aircraft chosen for analysis represented a progression of levels of automation sophistication and
complexity, from ‘Basic’ types (e.g., B727, DC9), through ‘Transition’ types (e.g., A300, Concorde), to two levels of glass
cockpits (e.g., Glass 1: e.g., A310; Glass 2: e.g., B747-400). This paper reports the results of analyses of comments from pilots
flying commercial transport types having the highest level of automation sophistication (B757/B767, B747-400, and A320).
Comments were decomposed into five categories relating to: (1) general observations with regard to flight deck automation;
comments concerning the (2) design and (3) crew understanding of automation and the crew interface; (4) crew operations
with automation; and (5) personal factors affecting crew/automation interaction. The goal of these analyses is to contribute to
the definition of guidelines which may be used during design of future aircraft flight decks.
Author
Aerospace Medicine; Surveys; Man Machine Systems
20040111468 Civil Aeromedical Inst., Oklahoma City, OK
The Effects of Laser Illumination on Operational and Visual Performance of Pilots During Final Approach
Nakagawara, Van B.; Montgomery, Ronald W.; Dillard, Archie E.; McLin, Leon N.; Connor, C. W.; Jun. 2004; 16 pp.; In
English
Report No.(s): AD-A425392; DOT/FAA/AM-04/9; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A03, Hardcopy
Several hundred incidents involving the illumination of aircrew members by laser light have been reported in recent years,
including several that could have had serious consequences. The purpose of this report is to evaluate the performance of pilots
exposed to visible laser radiation during final approach maneuvers at 100 feet above the runway in the Laser-Free Zone (LFZ).
Thirty-four pilots served as test subjects for this study. Pilot performance was assessed in a Boeing 727-200 Level C flight
simulator using four eye-safe levels of visible laser light (0, 0.5, 5, and 50 muW/cm2) during four final approach maneuvers
(three 30 deg left and one 30 deg right turn to final approach). Subjective responses were solicited after each trial and during
an exit interview. The pilots were asked to rate on a scale from 1 to 5 (1 = none, 2 = slight, 3 = moderate, 4 = great, and 5
= very great) the affect each laser exposure had on their ability to operate the aircraft and on their visual performance. The
average subjective ratings were calculated for each exposure level and flight maneuver, and an analysis of variance (ANOVA)
was performed. Average subjective ratings for operational and visual performance were 2.93 (Range = 2.35 3.29; SD = 1.37)
and 3.16 (Range = 2.56 3.62; SD = 1.30), respectively. ANOVA found statistically significant differences (p \h0.05) between
225