Optimized Design of General Aviation Cockpit Display Interface Based on Situational Awareness

ZHANG Ningning; MENG Xiangke; TIAN Siyu; TAN Yu

doi:10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2026.14.001

PDF(2653 KB)

Packaging Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (14) : 1-13. DOI: 10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2026.14.001

Special subject: Innovation in Human Factors Engineering andIndustrial Design for Aviation Equipment

Optimized Design of General Aviation Cockpit Display Interface Based on Situational Awareness

ZHANG Ningning^1,*, MENG Xiangke¹, TIAN Siyu¹, TAN Yu²

Author information +

History +

Abstract

Addressing the need to enhance low-altitude flight safety and human-machine ergonomics in general aviation, the work aims to explore a situational awareness-driven design methodology for cockpit display interfaces. Based on the three-level SA model, an evaluation model for general aviation pilots' situational awareness was constructed. By integrating the characteristics of cockpit display design elements, situational awareness-based design strategies were proposed. Simulated flight experiments were conducted, in which the 3D-SART scale, memory probe technique, and eye tracking were employed to quantitatively assess situational awareness across three dimensions: subjective perception, information memory, and visual behavior. In an unpowered descent due to engine failure, pilots exhibited significant increases in fixation count, fixation duration percentage, and the number of fixations on instruments, accompanied by markedly altered visual search patterns and a considerable decline in situational awareness. Visual attention was concentrated more on attitude, heading, and engine parameters, with more dispersed scan paths and elevated cognitive load. Cockpit information presentation mode directly affected the formation and maintenance of situational awareness. Accordingly, the primary flight display and multifunction display interfaces for general aviation were optimized and experimentally verified. Situational awareness theory provides theoretical support and practical guidance for the design of general aviation cockpit display interfaces and offers a valuable reference for the design of other complex human-computer interaction interfaces.

Key words

general aviation cockpit / situational awareness / display interface / optimization design / visual information coding

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

ZHANG Ningning, MENG Xiangke, TIAN Siyu, TAN Yu. Optimized Design of General Aviation Cockpit Display Interface Based on Situational Awareness[J]. Packaging Engineering. 2026, 47(14): 1-13 https://doi.org/10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2026.14.001

References

[1] 杨家忠, 张侃. 情境意识的理论模型、测量及其应用[J]. 心理科学进展, 2004, 12(6): 842-850.
YANG J Z, ZHANG K.Situation Awareness: Approaches, Measures and Applications[J]. Advances in Psychological Science, 2004, 12(6): 842-850.
[2] BU L Y, ZHANG W Q, LIU Y, et al.Better Cues for Better Pilots: Comparing Multimodal Combinations and Exploring Cognitive Mechanisms in General Aviation Simulation[J]. International Journal of Human--Computer Interaction, 2026, 2: 1-23.
[3] ENDSLEY M R.Toward a Theory of Situation Awareness in Dynamic Systems[J]. Human Factors, 1995, 37(1): 32-64.
[4] FINNIE S, TAYLOR R M.The Cognitive Cockpit[M]. UK: International Press, 1998.
[5] 卢天娇, 汤梦晗, 江涛, 等. 飞行员情景意识的影响因素剖析: 基于Endsley的三级理论[J]. 应用心理学, 2020, 26(3): 195-207.
LU T J, TANG M H, JIANG T, et al.Factors Affecting Pilot's Situation Awareness: An Analysis Based on the Endsley's Theory of Three-Level[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Psychology, 2020, 26(3): 195-207.
[6] DANG Y Q, WANYAN X, LI N, et al.Situation Awareness Measurement Model Based on Information Categorization and Cognitive Process Characterization for Human-Machine Interface Design[J]. Displays, 2026, 93: 103402.
[7] WANG P Y, YUAN Z, JIA L, et al.Intelligent Situation Awareness Based on the Fractal Dimension and Multidimensional Reconstruction[J]. Advanced Theory and Simulations, 2024, 7(4): 2300949.
[8] 郝红勋, 赵泽海, 黄城, 等. 飞行学员情景意识评价的组合权重云模型[J]. 中国安全科学学报, 2025, 35(10): 36-43.
HAO H X, ZHAO Z H, HUANG C, et al.Situational Awareness Evaluation of Flight Trainees Based on Combined Weighting Cloud Model[J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2025, 35(10): 36-43.
[9] SALMON P M, STANTON N A, WALKER G H, et al.Measuring Situation Awareness in Complex Systems: Comparison of Measures Study[J]. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 2009, 39(3): 490-500.
[10] SCHWERD S, SCHULTE A.Experimental Validation of an Eye-Tracking-Based Computational Method for Continuous Situation Awareness Assessment in an Aircraft Cockpit[M]. Cham: Springer, 2020: 412-425.
[11] XU G J W, PAN S C, SUN P Z H, et al. Human-Factors- in-Aviation-Loop: Multimodal Deep Learning for Pilot Situation Awareness Analysis Using Gaze Position and Flight Control Data[J]. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 2025, 26(6): 8065-8077.
[12] XIE X D, YANG J Z, LI Y, et al.Working Memory Capacity Prevents Pilots' Loss of Situation Awareness in Distraction Scenarios—An Eye-Movement Study[J]. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 2024, 104: 103667.
[13] VAN SCHAIK P, LING J.The Effects of Frame Layout and Differential Background Contrast on Visual Search Performance in Web Pages[J]. Interacting with Computers, 2001, 13(5): 513-525.
[14] MICHALSKI R, GROBELNY J, KARWOWSKI W.The Effects of Graphical Interface Design Characteristics on Human-Computer Interaction Task Efficiency[J]. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 2006, 36(11): 959-977.
[15] 仇岑, 薛澄岐. 飞机驾驶舱显控系统生态界面设计研究[J]. 人类工效学, 2009, 15(1): 39-43.
QIU C, XUE C Q.Research on the Holistic Interface Design of Aircraft Cockpit Display and Control Systems[J]. Chinese Journal of Ergonomics, 2009, 15(1): 39-43.
[16] 王海燕, 卞婷, 薛澄岐. 新一代战斗机显控界面布局设计研究[J]. 电子机械工程, 2011, 27(4): 57-61.
WANG H Y, BIAN T, XUE C Q.Layout Design of Display Interface for a New Generation Fighter[J]. Electro-Mechanical Engineering, 2011, 27(4): 57-61.
[17] 李珍, 王海涛, 郝云飞. 面向人机工效的座舱显控设备布局问题研究[J]. 飞机设计, 2016, 36(1): 1-7.
LI Z, WANG H T, HAO Y F.Cockpit Display and Control Facility Layout Design Face to Ergonomics[J]. Aircraft Design, 2016, 36(1): 1-7.
[18] 叶坤武, 包涵, 魏思东. 基于视觉注意力分配的飞机驾驶舱人机界面布局优化[J]. 南京航空航天大学学报, 2018, 50(3): 416-421.
YE K W, BAO H, WEI S D.Layout Optimization for Aircraft Cockpit Man-Machine Interface Based on Visual Attention Distribution[J]. Journal of Nanjing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics, 2018, 50(3): 416-421.
[19] 韩宏泽. 通航四座电动飞机显控界面布局优化设计[D]. 沈阳: 沈阳航空航天大学, 2020.
HAN H Z.Optimized Design of Display and Control Interface Layout for General Aviation Four-Seater Electric Aircraft[D]. Shenyang: Shenyang Aerospace University, 2020.
[20] 张磊, 庄达民, 颜吟雪. 飞机座舱显示界面编码方式[J]. 南京航空航天大学学报, 2009, 41(4): 466-469.
ZHANG L, ZHUANG D M, YAN Y X.Encoding of Aircraft Cockpit Display Interface[J]. Journal of Nanjing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics, 2009, 41(4): 466-469.
[21] 张慧姝, 庄达民, 马丁, 等. 飞机座舱显示界面目标图符的设计和评价[J]. 包装工程, 2011, 32(10): 89-92.
ZHANG H S, ZHUANG D M, MA D, et al.Design and Evaluation of Target Icons of the Cockpit Display Interface[J]. Packaging Engineering, 2011, 32(10): 89-92.
[22] 王国军. 基于认知特性的驾驶舱人机显示界面设计研究[D]. 南京: 南京航空航天大学, 2016.
WANG G J.Research on the Cockpit Display Interface Design Base on the Cognitive Characteristics[D]. Nanjing: Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2016.
[23] FRANÇOIS M, FORT A, CRAVE P, et al. Gauges Design for a Digital Instrument Cluster: Efficiency, Visual Capture, and Satisfaction Assessment for Truck Driving[J]. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 2019, 72: 290-297.
[24] 任宏, 刘玉雪, 邹媛媛, 等. 基于AHP的小型飞机座舱界面信息元素设计研究[J]. 包装工程, 2022, 43(10): 232-238.
REN H, LIU Y X, ZOU Y Y, et al.Information Element Design of Cabin of Small Aircraft Based on AHP[J]. Packaging Engineering, 2022, 43(10): 232-238.
[25] 宋知潼, 刘玉雪, 刘洋, 等. 基于眼动实验的飞机座舱界面字符编码分析[J]. 科学技术与工程, 2023, 23(33): 14144-14153.
SONG Z T, LIU Y X, LIU Y, et al.Analysis of the Aircraft Cockpit Interface Character Encoding Based on the Eye Movement Experiment[J]. Science Technology and Engineering, 2023, 23(33): 14144-14153.
[26] 程千浩. 基于视线追踪的歼击机座舱显示界面人机功效评估[D]. 北京: 首都经济贸易大学, 2020.
CHENG Q H.Ergonomic Evaluation of Fighter Cockpit Display Interface Based on Line-of-Sight Tracking[D]. Beijing: Capital University of Economics and Business, 2020.
[27] 汪海波, 薛澄岐, 黄剑伟, 等. 基于认知负荷的人机交互数字界面设计和评价[J]. 电子机械工程, 2013, 29(5): 57-60.
WANG H B, XUE C Q, HUANG J W, et al.Design and Evaluation of Human-Computer Digital Interface Based on Cognitive Load[J]. Electro-Mechanical Engineering, 2013, 29(5): 57-60.
[28] 陈晓皎, 薛澄岐, 陈默, 等. 基于眼动追踪实验的数字界面质量评估模型[J]. 东南大学学报(自然科学版), 2017, 47(1): 38-42.
CHEN X J, XUE C Q, CHEN M, et al.Quality Assessment Model of Digital Interface Based on Eye-Tracking Experiments[J]. Journal of Southeast University (Natural Science Edition), 2017, 47(1): 38-42.
[29] 周蕾, 薛澄岐, 汤文成, 等. 界面元素布局设计的美度评价方法[J]. 计算机辅助设计与图形学学报, 2013, 25(5): 758-766.
ZHOU L, XUE C Q, TANG W C, et al.Aesthetic Evaluation Method of Interface Elements Layout Design[J]. Journal of Computer-Aided Design & Computer Graphics, 2013, 25(5): 758-766.
[30] 季锟, 刘双, 完颜笑如, 等.面向飞行界面设计评估的注意分配与转移特征模型[J/OL]. 北京航空航天大学学报, 2025, 51: 1-12.(2025-03-28)[2025-07-11]. https://doi.org/10.13700/j.bh.1001-5965.2025.0155.
JI K, LIU S, WANYAN X R, et al.Characteristic Model of Attention Allocation and Attention Shift for Evaluation of Flight Interface Design[J/OL]. Journal of Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2025, 51: 1-12.(2025-03-28)[2025-07-11]. https://doi.org/10.13700/ j.bh.1001-5965.2025.0155.