Today’s automobile cockpit is filled with different buttons and screen-based displays giving input and relaying information in a complex human-machine system. Following in the footsteps of the early 1970s flight industry, this thesis work focused on creating a complete glass cockpit concept in the automobile. Our automobile glass cockpit consists of three displays. A touch screen based centre console with an interface that we took part in creating during the spring of 2006. Parallel to this ongoing master thesis, a head-up display was installed by a group of students and we had the opportunity of giving input regarding the design of the graphical interface. The third display, a LCD, replaces the main instruments displaying speed, RPM, fuel level, engine temperature etc. Together with ideas on an extended allocation of functions to the area on and around the steering wheel, creating a dynamic mode based interface replacing today’s static main instruments was the focus of this project. After conducting a thorough theoretical study, a large number of ideas were put to the test and incorporated in concept sketches. Paper sketches ranging from detailed features to all-embracing concepts combined with interviews and brainstorming sessions converged into a number of computer sketches made in an image processing software. The computer sketches was easily displayed in the cockpit environment and instantly evaluated. Some parts were discarded and some incorporated in new, modified, ideas leading to a final concept solution. After the design part was concluded, the new graphical interface was given functionality with the help of a programming software. As was the case with the computer sketches, the functionality of the interface could be quickly evaluated and modified. With the help of a custom-made application our interface could be integrated with the simulator software and fully implemented in the automobile cockpit at the university simulator facilities. Using a custom made scenario, the interface underwent a minor, informal evaluation. A number of potential users were invited to the VR-laboratory and introduced to the new concept. After driving a pre-determined route and familiarizing themselves with the interface, their thoughts on screen-based solutions in general and the interface itself was gathered. In addition, we ourselves performed an evaluation of the interface based on the theoretical study.

Visualising uncertainty information has been a research area for the past decade or so, and this thesis contains the results of an experiment that examines whether prior research on icon degradation for showing uncertainty can be used in a simulated aircraft cockpit environment. Using icon degradation has been suggested as being effective to combat overconfidence bias, as well as to accurately convey information about uncertainty. Two icon sets using icon degradation were taken from prior research, and one new icon set using shape change and colour change was created for comparison. Subjects flew a flight simulator while reading icons to evaluate the uncertainty displayed, and also evaluating their own confidence in their reading. The results show that shape change leads to much higher accuracy in reading icons, and slightly higher levels of confidence. Furthermore, icon degradation results in a higher variance in reading icons and an increase in errors when no time-pressure or distraction is present. This suggests that the suitability of icon degradation for showing uncertainty is questionable in all situations, and that other design approaches such as shape change should be considered. Furthermore, problems were uncovered in the prior research that the old icons were taken from, and these problems call into question the general approach used in that research. Keywords: Uncertainty visualisation, Naturalistic decision-making, NDM, Aviation, Aircraft cockpit, Decision support, Situation assessment, Threat assessment.

Designing a suitable utility helicopter cockpit for Turkish pilots is the main theme of this thesis. Helicopter cockpit is one of the ultimate human machine interface application. Consequences of pilot errors during flight in any helicopter cockpit can be catastrophic. Human errors can only be prevented by user-friendly cockpit design. In this thesis, reach compatibilities to controls in the cockpit are evaluated and the suitable positions of analogue indicators at front display panel are examined in order to obtain a user-friendly utility helicopter cockpit design. Human anthropometry is the most significant factor for evaluating cockpit reach compatibilities to controls / so all critical operational reach parameters of Turkish pilots are examined. The anthropometric study revealed vision problems and showed that the height of display panel is inappropriate for most pilots. Suitable positions of the indicators on pedestal are determined by using qualitative and quantitative approaches. As a quantitative approach Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) algorithms are employed. Card sorting methodology is used for the qualitative evaluation of the aforementioned display panel design. Although there are some approaches in literature for designing of displays, a specific design methodology related with the arrangement of indicators on display panel is not offered so far. In this thesis, MCDM and Card sorting approaches are adapted and used in the design of a display panel for the first time. There are lots of similarities between the results of MCDM and Card sorting approaches. The main similarity is to provide separate locations on display panel for engine and flight system indicators. Finally the findings of these techniques are compared with the existing layout of the display panel of a utility helicopter.

With the advances in technology, clutter of mechanical indicators in the aircraft cockpit is replaced with digital displays. This revolution does not make only visual changes, but also changes the use of the cockpit design. Cockpit automation has changed cockpit design philosophy with many promised benefits such as improvements in the precision, improved system safety, efficiency of operations, less workload etc. However, to achieve perfect design has not been fulfilled yet. Despite providing innovation and easiness, cockpit automation brings about some &ldquo / Human Factors&rdquo / problems because of lack of support of human-machine interaction and cooperation. In this study, advantages and disadvantages of the cockpit automation will be discussed according to a survey that is conducted to pilots who fly with automated cockpits in Turkey about how automation affects them. The main purpose of this study is to contribute to the modifications of current cockpit systems and development of new design philosophy for advanced flight decks by gathering data from pilots&#039 / attitudes on cockpit automation philosophy.

Skrydžio saugos užtikrinimas – tai pagrindinis lėktuvo pilotų darbo uždavinys kiekvieno reiso metu. Tinkama daugianarės skrydžio įgulos sąveika yra bene svarbiausias veiksnys garantuojantis skrydžio saugumą ir efektyvumą. Pagrindinis magistro baigiamojo darbo tikslas – ištirti netinkamą daugianarės įgulos sąveiką, dėl kurios įvyksta įvairaus pobūdžio lėktuvų avarijos ar katastrofos, išanalizuoti pilotų sąveiką sąlygojančius veiksnius ir pateikti galimus siūlymus, panašioms situacijoms išvengti ateityje. Nustatant ir tiriant netinkamą sąveiką sąlygojančius veiksnius, įvertinama ir jų svarba bendrai skrydžio saugai. Pagrindiniai netinkamo bendro pilotų darbo veiksniai:  Netinkamas kapitono vadovavimo stilius;  Nuovargis:  Stresas;  Netinkamas bendravimas. Vėliau šie veiksniai yra praktiškai patvirtinami analizuojant jau įvykusias aviakatastrofas. Ieškomos objektyvios netinkamos pilotų sąveikos priežastys kiekvienos avarijos metu. Daugumoje ištirtų įvykių aptikti kritiniai momentai, kuomet pilotams galimai imantis atitinkamai siūlomų veiksmų, dar įmanomas įvykio evoliucijos laike pakeitimas ir aviakatastrofos išvengimas. / Flight safety assurance is the main task for aircraft pilots during their every flight. Appropriate multi-crew cooperation is probably the most important factor that guarantees effective and safe flight. The main object of this master’s thesis is to analize inadequate multi-crew cooperation which leads to various airplane crashes, to research factors, that affect cooperation of pilots and to suggest probabale solutions, in order to avoid similar situations in the future. After identifying and researching factors that cause inadequate cooperation, the importance of elements for flight safety is also evaluated. The main factors for inappropriate mutual work between the pilots are:  Inappropriate commanding style of captain;  Fatigue;  Stress;  Inappropriate communication. Later these factors are practically confirmed while analizing airplane crashes. During every accident, a search is made for the objective factors that caused an appearance of inadequate cooperation of pilots. Critical moments were found in the most of the crashes, when taking the suggested action there is still a possibility to change the further evoliution of the happening and aircraft crash avoidance.

Detta arbete har som utgångspunkt att specificera, implementera och utvärdera ett verktyg som har som syfte att ta fram resultat från frågeställningar mot registrerade data från flygplanssimulator. Detta görs genom framtagning av kravspecifikation och en iterativ programutvecklingsmetod. Ett utvärderingstest i simulator utfördes för att samla data som sedan analyserades med verktyget. Detta för att undersöka om det går att hitta tillfällen där hög kognitiv belastning upplevdes.

A human brain is capable to achieve great things, to endure heavy stress and to calculate complex problems. What happens when it fails to do so? Is there anything that could be done to prevent this from happening? Is it possible to help a pilot in command manage his or her stress during flight by measuring finger temperature, skin conductance, ECG and heart rate variations? This thesis study processes that can help pilots manage high stress with simple tools such as closing their eyes and taking a few deep breaths. To determine when the calming measures are needed and to evaluate potential effects, all the signal data stated above are used combined with scoring of every participant performance. The statistical methods used involves an ANOVA-test and mean value calculations. The results were also analyzed using CBR to get a better understanding of the results and to not only rely on statistical methods. The thesis is limited to a minor study of 10 student pilots participating in two sessions with a heavy workload departure in a simulator. The test did result in a small difference between the two sessions which pointed at the calming measures giving a slight improvement for the pilots. However, when ANOVA was applied it showed that the difference between the two sessions was not a significant one. This could be due to several reasons; the pilots were not used to the calming measures and because of this felt more stressed when trying to use the calming measures as well. There might have been a difference if calming measures were included into pilot training already from the beginning. Another reason might be because this is only a minor study and the difference was not apparent on so few participants. In future research, however, there might be a breakthrough on how to handle stress in a cockpit environment involving similar sensors.

The aim of this diploma thesis is to design a new high-wing aircraft for the company TL ultralight using the structural elements from another models from their portfolio. The design is created with an emphasis on crew comfort and cabin ergonomics. The first part of the thesis focuses on the description of the basic requirements for the aircraft and its classification in aviation regulations. It also contains a research part of competing types and currently produced type, which the proposed aircraft should replace in the company's portfolio. Then follows the characteristics of the individual parts of the airframe, the specification of the parts, which will be used from another types from portfolio, and parts which will be completely designed. Great emphasis is placed on the layout of the interior and its design and ergonomic. The proposed aircraft then demonstrates theoretical calculations of basic performances and a preliminary mass analysis. In the end, the benefits of the newly designed aircraft are evaluated with respect to the competing types.

Examensrapporten redovisar resultatet av ett uppdrag från Linnéuniversitetet gällande utbyte och modernisering av ett felfungerande maskinlarmsystem på M/S Calmare Nyckel, ett utbildningsfartyg utan klasscertifikat, för nationell sjöfart. Uppdraget påbörjades med en kravsammanställning som hanterade både beställarkrav och externa krav från myndigheter och andra gällande regelverk. Därefter undersöktes det befintliga systemet i samband med en förstudie för att avgöra vad som kunde återanvändas i olika grad för olika tekniska lösningar som gick att implementera. Efter beställaren valde teknisk lösning från förstudien fortsatte arbetet med att ta fram en ny mjukvara och ett nytt användargränssnitt. Den totala lösningen resulterade i ett fungerande maskinlarmsystem som installerades och provades av utförarna ombord M/S Calmare Nyckel, och därefter utfördes en protokollbaserad provning av fartygets befälhavare. Hela konstruktions och utvecklingsprocessen skedde i samråd med beställaren i en iterativ process över hela utförandeperioden. En provning av maskinlarmsystemet kommer att utföras av Transportstyrelsen innan systemet blir helt godkänt för framdrift med obemannat maskinrum. / This bachelor's thesis shows the result of an assignment given by Linnaeus university regarding exchange and modernization of a faulty machine alarmsystem onboard M/S Calmare Nyckel, a training vessel without class certificate, for national shipping. The assignment started with a requirements specification that summarized both client specific requirements and external rules and regulations from governments and organizations. After this the existing alarmsystem was examined in conjunction with a pilot study to determine what equipment could be reused and in what degree for the different technical solutions. After the client chose a technical solution from the pilot study, the work continued with programming a new software and a graphical user interface. The assignment resulted in a new and functional machine alarmsystem that was installed and tested by the participants onboard M/S Calmare Nyckel, and thereafter a protocol-based test was conducted by the ships commander. The construction and development process were done in conjunction with the ship’s commander in an iterative process during the entire development period. A test of the machine alarmsystem will be conducted by the Transportstyrelsen before the system will be approved for use of unmanned engine room.

The thesis work investigates the possibility of replacing the Body-In-White (BIW) sections used in a physical test with a fixture. Volvo-cars perform several sub-system tests on its car components taken from various car models for different issues. Squeak and Rattle in Cockpits is one such important phenomenon investigated through its sub-system tests. Currently, the Body-in-White (BIW) sections taken from car body are used in holding the cockpits for Squeak and Rattle physical testing on a vibrating rig, the idea is to design a fixture that can replace these BIW sections for the test. Additionally, it is ensured that the fixture is designed to accommodate a variety of cockpits through the flexibility in its structure. Models from two different car segments were considered for performing the thesis. The development process started by researching the theory behind squeak and rattle along with investigating the important design parameters which would determine the requirements on the fixture. This is followed up with benchmarking the parameters and a physical test which would help later in comparison and evaluation of fixture performance against the BIW. The result from benchmarking were then used for topology optimization in obtaining a material layout to provide a basis for fixture design. Then, a basic CAD model is generated which is adapted to provide flexibility using Aluflexmechanisms. The final design comprises of a sufficiently rigid main structure made of hollow steel beams upon which Aluflex mechanisms are attached to provide flexibility in accommodating a variety of cockpit models. The fixture is analyzed and evaluated by comparing with benchmarked data. With the thesis, a fixture with generic (flexible) features which is manufacturable has been designed. It was concluded that at its current stage it cannot completely replace the BIW since the fixture is performing better than BIW in some respects and failing to conform to the requirements in others. The possible reason for the fixture failing to meet the requirements in the few aspects has been explored. As future work, it was proposed to explore into stiffness varying mechanisms (spring mechanisms) that could alter the stiffness requirements on the fixture as per the cockpit used for testing. It was also suggested to look for alternatives to Aluflex which would provide better stiffness at the connection points. Further, it was suggested to look for alternatives in the design concept which would avoid the connection part in extending too much away from the main structure thereby retaining high stiffness at the connection point.