REDAC / Human Factors

Name of Program: NextGen Air Ground 

Integration Human Factors

BLI Number: 111110 

Presenter Name: Dr. Victor Quach

Date: March 24, 2021

Review of FY 2021 - 2024 

Proposed Portfolio

1

1
Program Scope

• This program addresses research, engineering, and development requirements defined by technical 

sponsors in the Aviation Safety Organization (AVS). Requirements are driven by the intersection points 

between FAA policy documents, NextGen changes, and enabling flight deck technologies and procedures 

FAA Benefits

• Program outputs are transferred to AVS technical sponsors to develop and maintain, as appropriate,

human factors-related rules, guidance, procedures, Orders, standards, job aids, and other materials

• Work products benefit Aircraft Certification and Flight Standards personnel who evaluate and approve 

emerging aircraft systems (e.g., displays, devices, controls), procedures, and operations which may not be 

covered by existing human factors documentation 

Measures of Success

1. Sponsor Satisfaction – did the research meet AVS’s needs?

2. Access to Research – is there sufficient awareness/access to results?

3. Application of Results – did the research support or inform a data-driven decision?

4. NextGen Benefits – how did the research contribute to safety, capacity, and/or efficiency?

NextGen Air/Ground Integration Human Factors Overview

2
Program Managers

• Tara Holmes, Division Manager (Tara.Holmes@faa.gov)

• Dr. Victor Quach (Victor.K.Quach@faa.gov)

• Dr. Bill Kaliardos (Bill.Kaliardos@faa.gov)

• Karl Kaufmann (Karl.Kaufmann@faa.gov)

Researchers and Laboratories

• FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

• FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center

• NASA Ames Research Center, NASA Langley Research Center

• Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, DOT

• MITRE Corporation

• Honeywell

• University of Central Florida

• University of Michigan

NextGen Air/Ground Integration Human Factors 

Program Managers and Researchers

3
Project Description/Product Vendor

NextGen Procedures, Tasks, Skills and Training for Air Carrier Pilots

HF Recommendations to Address 

Flightpath Management System 

Dependencies (training)

Developed a technical report which includes results from domestic/international airline interviews about 

policies/procedures operators have implemented to address manual flight operations (MFO), Flight 

Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) data measuring MFO occurring in line operations, and a breakdown of 

manual flight maneuvers into tasks and their associated knowledge and skills. 

MITRE

Human Factors for Aircraft Systems, Displays, and Controls

Human Factors Evaluation of Low 

Energy Alerting and Awareness 

Technologies (display and 

controls)

Final report describing preliminary results of HITL simulation which examined the contribution of prototype 

displays to pilot awareness and response to low energy events, high energy events, and loss of control 

scenarios (i.e., predictive information, alerts, recovery guidance, etc.). Research could help address 

requirements introduced by CAST SE-207 (Safety Enhancement – 207 Attitude and Energy Awareness 

Technologies), and to develop initial human factors evaluation criteria for future flight deck technologies.

NASA 

Langley

Human Factors Considerations for 

Electronic Data-Driven Charts 

(Flight deck systems)

Final report with human factors considerations applicable to the design of electronic aeronautical charts, 

including whether a minimum set of information elements could be defined for these customizable 

electronic charts. 

CAMI

Human Factors for Advanced Airspace Procedure Design and Use

Human Factors 

Recommendations to Address the 

Flight Deck Impact(s) of 

Procedure-Based Concepts

Developed a human factors research plan to examine the human factors aspects of flight operations that 

occur between the termination point of an arrival and an instrument flight procedure (vectors, direct-to, 

etc.), including challenges related to mixed navigation source transitions (conventional, PBN)

Volpe

NextGen Air/Ground Integration Human Factors 

Accomplishments in FY21

4
NextGen Procedures, Tasks, Skills and Training for Air Carrier Pilots

Research Requirement Overview

Objective

• Provide research data to support the NextGen human factors needs of FAA personnel who evaluate, approve, and 

oversee new NextGen air carrier pilot training and qualification programs, operations, and procedures.

• Identify air carrier pilot task, skill, and proficiency needs for the operational use of next generation aircraft systems, 

avionics equipment, and procedures.

How Results are Used

• Inform FAA personnel who develop evaluation criteria for pilot tasks and skills, and incorporate this information into 

human factors – related regulations, guidance material, procedures, standards, job aids, and other documentation to 

support the safety and efficiency of current & future flight operations

• In the field, criteria are used by Flight Standards (AFS) personnel to evaluate air carrier training and qualification 

programs for pilots using new NextGen equipment, operations, and procedures. 

Current Research Portfolio Topics

• Flightpath Management Systems Dependencies (manual flight operations) Research

• Air Carrier Pilot Cognitive Skills Research 

• Training and Evaluation Techniques for Flightcrew Monitoring Tasks 

5
Project Description/Product Vendor Est. Completion

Manual Flight Ops – Low 

Altitude Terminal Operations

Evaluate the current state of low-altitude manual flight operations (MFO) in the NAS, and 

how industry maintains/evaluates MFO skill proficiency. Examine the potential impact of 

flight guidance system and flight control system dependencies to baseline MFO tasks, and 

the potential impact of NextGen changes to MFO practice opportunities in future line 

operations.

MITRE FY22 Q2

Cognitive Skill Degradation –

Verification and Validation

Baseline the cognitive skills and knowledge required to complete flightpath management 

(FPM) tasks in current Part 121 operations, including the use of automated systems to 

complete FPM-related tasks.

Honeywell FY22 Q2

Techniques to Evaluate 

Monitoring Training and 

Monitoring Performance 

(Planned)

Identify a range of viable methods/techniques which could be used to evaluate flight 

deck monitoring training and to evaluate monitoring performance during flight 

operations, including a subset of methods potential methods for verification and 

validation.

NASA AMES FY22 Q4

NextGen Procedures, Tasks, Skills and Training for Air Carrier Pilots

On-going research in FY22+

6
NextGen Procedures, Tasks, Skills and Training for Air Carrier Pilots

Potential Program Plans (FY21 – FY23+)

7

Planned Research Portfolio Topics

• Flightpath Management Systems Dependencies (manual flight operations) Research*

• Air Carrier Pilot Cognitive Skills Research *

• Training and Evaluation Techniques for Flightcrew Monitoring Tasks*

• Pilot Training and Evaluation Needs for Diverse Flight Operations / Extensible Air Traffic Management Services

• Identification of Pilot Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Impacted by Advanced Technologies and Procedures, including 

Trajectory Based Operations (TBO)

* Indicates research builds upon on a project within the current portfolio
NextGen Human Factors for Aircraft Systems, Displays, and Controls

Research Requirement Overview

Objective

• Provide research data to support the NextGen human factors needs of FAA personnel who evaluate and approve 

emerging aircraft systems, displays, and controls, including their intended function and operation. 

How Results are Used

• Inform FAA personnel who develop and maintain human factors – related regulations, guidance material, procedures, 

standards, job aids, and other documentation to support the safety and efficiency of current & future flight operations

• In the field, criteria are used by Aircraft Certification (AIR) personnel to evaluate and check for human factors 

installation and operational integration issues that could arise when introducing or combining next generation aircraft 

changes with current systems, displays, controls, and their respective mode(s) of operation. 

Current Research Portfolio Topics

• Aircraft Display Features and Functions for Integrated NextGen Flight Operations

• Multifunction Aircraft Controls with New Methods of Operation

8
NextGen Human Factors for Aircraft Systems, Displays, and Controls 

Ongoing Research and Anticipated in FY21+

Project Description/Product Vendor Est. Completion

Validation of CDTI Display 

Features in a Metered and 

Non-Metered Environment –

Dependent Staggered 

Approaches (DSA)

Final report describing results of a HITL simulation to evaluate various implementations 

of the minimum CDTI display requirements, defined by RTCA SC-186 WG4, for IM DSA 

flight operations in a metered and non-metered Terminal environment. 

MITRE FY21 Q4

Human Factors 

Considerations for MultiModal Controls (Combined 

Controls) – Fixed Wing

Final report describing the results of a HITL simulation which examined the human factors 

aspects of multi-function aircraft controls; specifically multi-touch touchscreen controls 

and voice activated/recognition controls. 

Honeywell FY21 Q4

Human Factors 

Considerations for MultiModal Controls (Speech 

Controls) – Rotorcraft

(Planned)

Examine the human factors aspects of multi-function aircraft controls; specifically speech 

recognition controls and speech activated controls during single and dual pilot flight 

operations in a rotorcraft.

Industry FY22 Q4

9
NextGen Human Factors for Aircraft Systems, Displays, and Controls

Potential Program Plans (FY21 – FY23+)

10

Planned Research Portfolio Topics

• Aircraft Display Features and Functions for Integrated NextGen Flight Operations*

• Multifunction Aircraft Controls with New Methods of Operation*

• Novel Control Inceptor Design and User Interactions

• Configurable Devices for Information Automation Systems

• Prototype Airplane State Awareness Technologies

* Indicates research builds upon on a project within the current portfolio
NextGen Human Factors for Advanced Airspace Procedure Design and Use

Research Requirement Overview

Objective

• Provide research data to support the NextGen human factors needs of FAA personnel who evaluate, approve, and 

oversee pilot procedures and flight deck operations for performance – based navigation (PBN) procedures.

How Results are Used

• Research data will inform FAA personnel who develop and maintain the human factors portions of PBN-related 

regulations, guidance material, procedures, standards, job aids, operational evaluation criteria and other

documentation to support the safety and efficiency of current & future flight operations

• In the field, human factors criteria and evaluation methods support Flight Standards (AFS) personnel who evaluate the:

• Design of PBN procedures to ensure they can be flown safely (e.g., flyability – bank angle, airspeed, climb/descent 

gradients, workload issues, procedure complexity, runway alignment, etc.)

• Documentation of PBN procedures (charting)

• Complete other activities that support instrument flight procedure validation.

Current Research Portfolio Topics

• Flight Deck Human Factors Impacts of Procedure – Based Concepts, including Established on Required Navigation 

Performance (EoR) and Multiple Airport Route Separation (MARS)

11
Project Description/Product Vendor Est. Completion

Flight Deck Impacts of ProcedureBased Concepts, including 

Established on Required Navigation 

Performance (RNP) and Multiple 

Airport Route Separation (MARS)

Conduct an analysis to understand current-day flight deck human-system 

integration issues related to PBN, and opportunities to prevent these issues from 

resurfacing in future procedure-based concepts with a PBN dependency. Volpe FY22 Q2

NextGen Human Factors for Advanced Airspace Procedure Design and Use

Ongoing Research through FY21+

12
NextGen Human Factors for Advanced Airspace Procedure Design and Use

Potential Program Plans (FY21 – FY23+)

13

Planned Research Portfolio Topics

• Flight Deck Human Factors Impacts of Procedure – Based Concepts, including Established on Required Navigation 

Performance (EoR) and Multiple Airport Route Separation (MARS)* - expansion to additional sites / flight operations

* Indicates research builds upon on a project within the current portfolio
NextGen Human Factors for Error and Complex Systems

Research Requirement Overview

Objective

• Provide research data to support the NextGen human factors needs of FAA personnel who evaluate, approve, and 

oversee new NextGen technologies and equipment, pilot training and qualifications programs, flight deck operations, 

and pilot procedures.

• Understand how next generation aircraft systems, operations, and procedures will impact the role of air carrier pilots 

and the expectations placed on them.

How Results are Used

• Inform FAA personnel who develop and maintain human factors – related regulations, guidance material, procedures, 

standards, job aids, and other documentation (evaluation criteria) to support the safety and efficiency of current & 

future flight operations

Current Research Portfolio Topics

• Resilience

• Human-System Safety / Human Factors Risk Assessment Methods

• Advanced Pilot – Air Traffic Interactions

• Mitigations to Address Flight Deck Information Management Vulnerabilities (relates to past REDAC recommendation)

14
Project Description/Product Vendor Est. Completion

Pilot Response to Unexpected 

Events

Conduct an analysis to provide efficacy data on potential training interventions which 

could promote resilient behavior during unexpected events.

University of 

Central 

Florida

FY22 Q1

Human-System Safety / 

Human Factors Risk Analysis 

Method Alternatives

Evaluate and document current-day methods used by the FAA and other high-risk 

industries to factor and include human performance in safety assessments and human 

factors risk assessment.

NASA Ames FY22 Q4

Impact of Clearance 

Complexity and Flight Deck 

Procedures to Pilot Error in 

North Atlantic Flight 

Operations 

Analyze subjective and objective data related to Gross Navigational Errors (GNEs) 

attributed to complex clearances and clearance negotiation during NAT flight operations, 

including voice communications, Data Communications, and 3rd party voice 

communications

Volpe FY22 Q4

Flight Deck Information 

Management – Phase 1 

Baseline Assessment 

(Planned)

Analyze the available data, displays/interfaces, display configurations, accessibility of 

information, and the resulting demands and challenges introduced by modern transport 

category across phases of flight to pilots. Examine current-day information management 

vulnerabilities and the mitigations successfully and/or unsuccessfully applied to address 

them 

University of 

Michigan FY22 Q4

NextGen Human Factors for Error and Complex Systems

Ongoing Research and Anticipated in FY22+

15
NextGen Human Factors for Error and Complex Systems

Potential Program Plans (FY21 – FY23+)

16

Planned Research Portfolio Topics

• Resilience*

• Advanced Pilot – Air Traffic Interactions*

• Mitigations to Address Flight Deck Information Management Vulnerabilities*

• Flightcrew Task Management During NextGen Flight Operations

• Human Factors of Automated Aircraft Systems

• Operational Integration of NextGen Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance Capabilities

* Indicates research builds upon on a project within the current portfolio
NextGen Human Factors for Advance Vision Systems Research

Research Requirement Overview

Objective

• Provide research data to support the NextGen human factors needs of FAA personnel who evaluate and approve 

advanced vision systems, sensor-based technologies, and emerging head-worn technologies for new low visibility 

concepts of operation. 

How Results are Used

• Inform FAA personnel who develop and maintain regulations, guidance material, procedures, conditions, limitations, 

job aids, and other documentation, including authorization for operational use

Current Research Portfolio Topics

• Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) Visual Advantage Research

• Emerging Head-worn Display Technologies

• Combined Vision Systems (CVS)

• Helicopter Enhanced Flight Vision System (H-EFVS) Research

17
Project Description/Product Vendor Est. Completion

EFVS Visual Advantage 

Operational Data Collection

Conduct a longitudinal study to validate visual advantage values established for existing EFVS models 

(Infrared-based sensors) – i.e. are current values adequate, too restrictive, or too lenient. Data will help 

implement the new EFVS rule, which broadly accommodates existing and future EFVS systems/sensors not 

yet evaluated.

CAMI FY22 Q2

Human Factors Aspects of 

Emerging Head-Mounted 

Display (HMD) Applications –

Small Aircraft

Final report describing results of a HITL simulation in a fixed-based simulator to evaluate the initial pilot 

performance implications which may be introduced by emerging HMD features (i.e. mixed reality) and 

functions in small aircraft. This study will also examine the initial human-system performance impacts of 

monocular vs. binocular displays.

CAMI FY22 Q3

HWDs with Flight Info. Only & 

use of HWD with EFVS to 

Conduct Lower than Standard

Approach and Landing Minima 

Flight Operations – SA CAT I

Evaluate pilot performance, human factors, and operational impacts associated with using a HWD to 

conduct low visibility operations that are currently approved to be conducted using a heads-up display 

(HUD). 

CAMI FY22 Q3

Low Visibility Operations Using 

Synthetic Vision Guidance 

System (SVGS) Information on 

HMDs

Evaluate the pilot performance considerations and viability of using SVGS-HMD for 150ft decision heights 

in 1400 runway visual range (RVR) conditions. Research builds on recent efforts that helped update AC 120-

118 in July 2018 (SVGS-HDD).

CAMI FY22 Q4

Enhanced Helicopter Vision 

System (EHVS) Technologies 

Conduct a study to evaluate the contribution of emerging EHVS technologies to pilot performance, including 

their use as a potential safety enhancement, and to potentially conduct low visibility approach and landing 

operations in a helicopter.

WJHTC FY23 Q1

Combined Vision Systems (CVS)

Conduct a study to examine the contribution of CVS to pilot performance. This research will evaluate the 

potential use of CVS as a substitute for required airport infrastructure during low visibility takeoff 

operations. It will also examine the preliminary contributions of CVS to pilot performance during low 

visibility approach, landing, and rollout operations. This study will evaluate CVS on a head-up display and 

CVS on a head-down display.

CAMI FY23 Q1

NextGen Human Factors for Advance Vision Systems Research

On-going research in FY22+

18
NextGen Human Factors for Advance Vision Systems Research

Potential Program Plans (FY21 – FY23+)

19

Planned Research Portfolio Topics

• Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) Operations Lower than 1,000 Runway Visual Range (RVR)

• Aircraft Evaluation Group (AEG) Pilot Evaluation Aids for New Technologies

• Emerging Head-worn Display Technologies*

* Indicates research builds upon on a project within the current portfolio
Victor K. Quach, Ph.D.

Program Manager, Air/Ground Integration Research

NextGen Human Factors Division (ANG-C1)

Victor.K.Quach@faa.gov

202.267.3585

20

20