Shading and texturing are two techniques that flight simulators can take advantage of to increase scene realism. Shading imitates the effects of light reflecting from a surface. Texture refers to superimposing a pattern on a surface to give the illusion of extra detail and realism. In this report, several techniques for shading and texturing are evaluated with respect to their applicability to visual flight simulators. The image quality produced by shading and texturing is a function of computation cost. The Phong model is found to produce the most realistic shading, but is too computationally expensive. The Gouraud shading model improves upon the Phong model in that realistic shading is produced with less computational effort. The table look up technique was found to be the most flexible and realistic way to produce texture on the surface of a polygon. It is shown that true perspective shading is cost effective when texture is required because the hardware needed to produce texturing and true perspective shading are very similar.

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A computer graphics simulation of an aircraft Head-Up Display was designed using an RDS-3000 Ikonas Graphics Processor and a PDP-11/34 host computer system. The software control and display modules were accomplished using Ikonas microcode and Digital Equipment Corporation Fortran IV-PLUS. The Head-Up Display system consists of the basic flight data, which includes aerodynamic flight information, Roll/Pitch Ladder, and the Velocity Vector or Flight Path Marker. The system was designed for flexibility in modifications and evaluation of various weapons delivery systems. These will be adapted to specific needs by research scientists and engineers at the Visual Technology Research Simulator in Orlando, Florida.

Human performance in spatial orientation tasks is mainly determined by spatial awareness and the skills to transition from the current spatial attitude into the desired spatial orientation and position. Erroneous spatial awareness may lead to degraded task performance, to the loss of equipment, to serious injuries, or fatal aviation mishaps. The use of UAVs is considered beneficial due to the reduction in risk to the human carrying out the "mission". However, the remote execution of such a mission is extremely demanding for the operator. If extensive use of UAVs is to become routine, a number of concerns that may influence their effective use needs to be addressed. When we consider the human-in-the-loop (HITL), then vehicle control and the use of autonomy are important issues for the end user. Therefore this thesis will investigate the use of a virtual avatar in the flight simulator software (Weber Box) and conduct experimental proof of concept (conduct of experiments and analysis, evaluation and validation of the data of the concept using actual flight simulation software). Results of a study (conducted by Weber, 2006) indicated that the proposed design (Weber Box) seemed to strongly support spatial awareness in 3D orientation tasks. Time to assess a spatial situation decreases significantly, whereas accuracy of this spatial judgment at least maintains its level. This study investigated human orientation performance in relation to display designs that support mental models of the user's spatial situation under varying workload conditions. The main goal is to support the pilot/operator with intuitive, 3D-based information which improves their spatial awareness and supports their mental model of spatial position, he/she is operating under, even with varying workload conditions. As a follow-up study has to be identified, determining whether varying workload affects performance between the two display designs, and if there is a significant difference to a set of properties which are essential for linking virtual avatars and spatial awareness.

This thesis discusses potential cost savings associated with implementing airline pilot training curricula into the future P-8 Multimission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS). These curricula rely primarily on high-technology flight simulators and do not require any flight time in an actual aircraft. This thesis also provides an approach for estimating future P-8 FRS cost savings. The results of this thesis indicate that significant savings will likely accrue in the areas of fuel, Aviation Depot Level Repairables (AVDLR) and training expendable stores costs if airline pilot training curricula are implemented into the P-8 FRS in FY 2014. Further research is needed in many other cost areas before additional cost savings estimations can be made. Finally, this thesis discusses many additional considerations that should be taken into account before a future airline pilot training curricula implementation decision is made.

The cockpit is an environment in which many important tasks simultaneously compete for pilot attention. Cockpit Task Management (CTM) is the process by which pilots selectively attend to flight tasks in such a way as to safely and effectively complete a flight. CTM has been categorized as a mental function that is inherently well understood by pilots and almost always performed satisfactorily (for example, through the trained Aviate, Navigate, Communicate, Manage Systems hierarchy). However, there are documented instances, such as incident and accident reports, where tasks were not managed properly, resulting in an aircraft mishap. CTM involves the prioritization of flight tasks based on their importance to flight safety, urgency, and how well the tasks are actually being performed. Task prioritization errors occur when pilots do not give attention to a higher priority task (i.e., one more important to flight safety, one that is more urgent, or one that is currently not being performed satisfactorily) by attending to a lower priority task (i.e., one less critical to flight safety, one less urgent, or one that is already being performed well and is not in need of immediate attention). The goal of this thesis was to develop a CTM training program to aid pilots' task prioritization performance. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000 with yoke, throttle, and rudder pedals, was used to assess pilot task prioritization performance before and after training. Three experimental groups were used: a control group (no training), descriptive group (CTM lecture training), and prescriptive group (CTM lecture training plus mnemonic procedure) to test the effectiveness of CTM training on task prioritization in simulated flight. Results showed that the prescriptive group improved in task prioritization performance in the post-training flight. Additionally, results showed that the descriptive and prescriptive groups both improved in memory recall (a second dependent measure). It was concluded that CTM training is effective on task prioritization performance. / Graduation date: 2002

Thesis (Ph. D.)--York University, 1997. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 93-99). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL:http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pNQ22895.

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Thesis (M.A. Sc.)--University of Toronto, 2004. / Advisers: P.R. Grant; L.D. Reid.

Thesis (M.E. (Res.))--University of Sydney, 2003. / Title from title screen (viewed Apr. 28, 2008). Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering (Research) to the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering. Includes bibliography. Also available in print form.