Evaluation of a New Cockpit Device: the Integrated Electronic Information System

In spite of the well-recognized need for complete, accurate, and timely information in the cockpit environment, no computerized information system has been successfully introduced to the commercial flight deck. We suggest that two factors – information integration and multiple search mechanisms – may be identified as necessary characteristics for a viable electronic information system for the cockpit. The use of an information system designed according to these principles was examined during an evaluation of the system at a major US airline. During the controlled experiment segment of the evaluation, subjects performed two sets of similar information retrieval and performance calculation tasks using the system and using traditional paper manuals; response accuracy and task execution time served as the dependent variables. Results showed that for both information retrieval and performance calculations, task execution with the integrated information system was significantly faster and had fewer errors than did task execution using paper manuals. Possible reasons for improved performance are discussed.