REDAC / NAS Operations

Name of Program: NextGen Air Ground 

Integration Human Factors

BLI Number: 111110 

Presenter Name: Dr. Victor Quach 

Date: September 1, 2021

Review of FY 2021 - 2024 

Proposed Portfolio
2

What is the 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 

What are the benefits to the FAA

• 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 

What determines program 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
Nextgen Air/Ground Integration Human Factors

Program Contributors

Managers and Research Managers:

• Tara Gibson, Division Manager (Tara.M.Gibson@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

• Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, DOT

• MITRE Corporation

• Honeywell

• University of Central Florida

• University of Michigan

3
Research Requirements

• NextGen Procedures, Tasks, Skills and Training for Air Carrier Pilots - Identify pilot tasks, 

skills, and proficiency needs for the operational use of aircraft systems, avionics 

equipment, and procedures. Examine the operational effectiveness of training and related 

technology

• NextGen Human Factors for Aircraft Systems, Displays, and Controls - Understand 

potential installation and integration issues that could arise when introducing or combining 

next generation aircraft changes with current systems, displays, controls, and their 

respective modes of operation.

• NextGen Instrument Procedures - Understand the human factors impact of advanced 

procedure flyability/acceptability, charting, use of automated systems, and pilot 

competencies

• NextGen Human Error and Complex Systems - Understand how aircraft systems, 

operations, and procedures will impact the role of pilots and the expectations placed on 

them

• Advanced Vision Systems - Understand the contribution of advanced vision system 

technologies to pilot performance during new low visibility concepts of operation
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FY21 Accomplishments

Project Description/Product

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

Cognitive Skill Degradation – Verification 

and Validation

Completed data collection (cognitive walkthroughs). Identified cognitive skills and knowledge required for 

Flight Path Management (FPM) tasks in transport category aircraft during 14 CFR Part 121 flight operations. 

Identified the strategic impact of enabling technologies/procedures to baseline cognitive skills and knowledge.

NextGen Human Factors for Aircraft Systems, Displays, and Controls

Validation of CDTI Display Features in a 

Metered and Non-Metered Environment –

Dependent Staggered Approaches (DSA)

Developed draft research report. Draft research data on the operational acceptability of multiple Cockpit 

Display of Traffic Information (CDTI) display requirement implementations defined in avionics standards 

(RTCA), and draft research data on sequential IM clearances using multiple modes of communication.

NextGen Human Error and Complex Systems

Human-System Safety / Human Factors 

Risk Analysis Method Alternatives

Developed draft research report. Draft research data on the applicability and use of alternative methods to 

factor human behavior in system-safety / risk assessments during an initial set of certification-based scenarios .

Pilot Response to Unexpected Events Complete data collection (agenda-based discussions). Obtained data from 50 pilot participants (Part 121, 135, 

91K) on startle and surprise events to support future development of a research plan for an empirical study.

NextGen Advanced Vision Systems

EFVS Visual Advantage Operational Data 

Collection

Developed draft interim research report. Reports of actual enhanced flight vision system (EFVS) performance 

during low visibility approach, landing, and rollout operations. Created an interactive dashboard to visualize 

and filter results.
Anticipated Research FY22-FY24 (1 of 7)

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Project Description/Product Timeline

NextGen Procedures, Tasks, Skills and Training for Air Carrier Pilots FY22 FY23 FY24

Manual Flight 

Operations

• Technical Report on the current state of low altitude manual flight operations (MFO) 

in the NAS, industry line/training policies and procedures for MFO, and the potential 

impact of enabling technologies to MFO practice opportunities in future NextGen line 

operations.

FY22 Q2

• Human Factors Verification and Validation Plan for a Minimum Set of Manual Flight 

Operation Maneuvers with Maximum Task, Knowledge, Skill Coverage

• Final Technical Report on Criteria to Evaluate Manual Flight Operation Tasks, 

Knowledge, Skills and New NextGen Training and Qualification Needs

x x FY24 Q1

Cognitive Skill 

Degradation

• Technical Report on baseline cognitive skills and knowledge required to complete 

flightpath management (FPM) tasks in current Part 121 operations, including the use 

of automated systems and potential risks related to development/retention of skills.

FY22 Q2

• Human Factors Research Plan for NextGen Cognitive Skill Degradation Mitigations

• Final Technical Report on Criteria to Evaluate Cognitive Skills for NextGen Flightpath 

Management Tasks and the Operational Effectiveness of Mitigations

x x FY24 Q1

Techniques to 

Evaluate 

Monitoring 

Training and 

Monitoring 

Performance 

• Technical Report on a range of viable methods/techniques which could be used to 

evaluate monitoring tasks, training, and performance during line operations, 

including a recommended subset for future verification and validation.

FY22 Q4 

• Human Factors Verification and Validation Plan for Alternative Methods to Evaluate 

Monitoring Training and Operational Effectiveness

• Final Technical Report on Criteria to Evaluate Innovative Training Methods for New 

NextGen Monitoring Tasks and the Operational Effectiveness of Training

x FY23 Q4
Anticipated Research FY22-FY24 (2 of 7)

7

Project Description/Product Timeline

NextGen Human Factors for Aircraft Systems, Displays, and Controls FY22 FY23 FY24

Human Factors 

Considerations for 

Multi-Modal 

Controls (Speech 

Controls) –

Rotorcraft

(Pending)

Research Plan to examine 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.

x

Technical Report with research data characterizing single/dual pilot performance and 

human factors considerations when using multifunction controls with new methods of 

operation in rotorcraft – specifically various combinations of voice/speech controls

x FY24 Q2

Customizable 

Devices for 

Connected 

Information 

Automation 

Systems 

(Pending)

Technical Report on anticipated human – machine interface and interaction issues with 

connected flight deck technologies that combine and present information wholly or 

partially derived from uncertified data.

x x FY24 Q2
Anticipated Research FY22-FY24 (3 of 7)

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Project Description/Product Timeline

NextGen Instrument Procedures FY22 FY23 FY24

Flight Deck 

Impacts of 

Procedure-Based 

Concepts, 

including 

Established on 

Required 

Navigation 

Performance 

(RNP) and 

Multiple Airport 

Route Separation 

(MARS)

Technical Report on the effect of operational complexity to pilot performance and flight 

deck procedures during arrival to approach operations and how these impacts might 

change if concepts such as Multiple Airport Route Separate (MARS) or others are 

implemented in high density airspace, such as the northeast corridor.

FY22 Q2

Research Plan to identify and evaluate potential flyability/human factors considerations 

for new PBN arrival and departure procedures with reduced areas of separation (e.g., 

segment of 2 authorized procedures less than 3NM apart and ATC uses monitored 

procedural separation)

x FY23 Q2
Anticipated Research FY22-FY24 (4 of 7)

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Project Description/Product Timeline

NextGen Human Error and Complex Systems FY22 FY23 FY24

Pilot Response to 

Unexpected Events

Final Technical Report with research data on potential training interventions which could support 

resilient crew behavior(s) during unexpected events. FY22 Q1

Human-System Safety 

/ Human Factors Risk 

Analysis Method 

Alternatives

Final Technical Report on the verification and validation of methods to factor human behavior in 

system-safety / risk assessments, the benefits and limitations of each method evaluated, and evidencebased recommendations to support the applied integration of 14 CFR 25.1302 and 25.1309.

FY22 Q4

Impact of Clearance 

Complexity and Flight 

Deck Procedures to 

Pilot Error in North 

Atlantic Flight 

Operations 

Final Technical Report with research data on causes of gross navigational errors and large height 

deviations attributed to an air/ground misunderstanding during clearance negotiation, methods used by 

pilots to avoid errors when responding to lateral flightpath changes issued by ATC on/off oceanic track 

route assignments, and recommendations to perform clearance negotiation using Controller Pilot Data 

Link Communications (CPDLC).

FY22 Q4

Flight Deck 

Information 

Management – Phase 

1 Baseline 

Assessment 

(Pending)

Research Plan documenting an approach to analyze 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 

x

Technical Report on the quantity and type of information available to air carrier pilots (visual, aural, 

tactile) in modern aircraft, how air carrier pilot tasks have changed to manage this information, and 

mitigations successfully and/or unsuccessfully applied to address current-day information management 

vulnerabilities.

x FY24 Q2

Flightcrew Task 

Management During 

NextGen Flight 

Operations (Pending)

Research Plan documenting an analysis available data on flightcrew task management and the casual 

and contributing factors to task management deficiencies in monitoring, safety critical system 

malfunctions, and ATC interventions which effect flight path management.

x- x FY24 Q2
Anticipated Research FY22-FY24 (5 of 7)

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Project Description/Product Timeline

NextGen Human Error and Complex Systems FY22 FY23 FY24

Flightcrew Task 

Management During 

NextGen Flight 

Operations (Pending)

Research Plan documenting an analysis available data on flightcrew task management and the casual 

and contributing factors to task management deficiencies in monitoring, safety critical system 

malfunctions, and ATC interventions which effect flight path management.

x

Technical Report documenting vulnerabilities and evaluations of the acceptability if mitigations and 

operational effectiveness.. x FY24 Q2
Anticipated Research FY22-FY24 (6 of 7)

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Project Description/Product Timeline

Advanced Vision Systems FY22 FY23 FY24

EFVS Visual 

Advantage 

Operational Data 

Collection

Final Technical Report. Research data characterizing actual/reported enhanced flight vision system 

(EFVS) performance during low visibility approach, landing, and rollout operations. Data will support 

validation of visual advantage values established for existing EFVS models (Infrared-based sensors) and 

support on-going implementation of the new EFVS rule which broadly accommodates existing and 

future EFVS systems/sensors not yet evaluated.

FY22 Q2

Human Factors 

Aspects of Emerging 

Head-Mounted 

Display (HMD) 

Applications – Small 

Aircraft

Final Technical Report. Data on pilot performance and human factors considerations associated with 

the use of an HMD during approach and landing operations. The report will also include data that 

indicates whether an operationally significant difference exists between monocular and binocular 

HMDs, and the potential impact of eye dominance.

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

Technical Report. Results from the evaluation of a monocular Heavy Weight Deflectometer (HWD) with 

flight information only vs. a monocular HWD with EFVS during approach, landing, and rollout operations 

in low visibility conditions (SA CAT I). 

FY22 Q3

Low Visibility 

Operations Using 

Synthetic Vision 

Guidance System 

(SVGS) Information 

on HMDs

Final Technical Report. Results from the evaluation of SVGS on a head-down display during low visibility 

flight operations (SA CAT I, SA CAT II, CAT II minima) to airports/runways with reduced infrastructure. FY22 Q4
Anticipated Research FY22-FY24 (7 of 7)

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Project Description/Product Timeline

Advanced Vision Systems FY22 FY23 FY24

Enhanced 

Helicopter Vision 

System (EHVS) 

Technologies 

Technical Report. Contribution of emerging EHVS technologies to pilot performance, 

including use as a potential safety enhancement and to potentially conduct low visibility 

approach and landing operations.

x FY23 Q1

Combined Vision 

Systems (CVS)

Final Technical Report. Results from the evaluation of a Combined Vision Systems (CVS) 

on a head-up display (HUD) and a CVS on a head-down display (HDD) during low visibility 

flight operations (takeoff, approach, landing, touchdown/rollout) to airports/runways 

with reduced infrastructure.

x FY23 Q1
NextGen Procedures, Tasks, Skills and Training for Air Carrier Pilots

• NextGen Changes from Full/Dynamic TBO to Tasks, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) 

• Extensible Traffic Management (xTM) Impacts to Pilot Training and Qualification

NextGen Human Factors for Aircraft Systems, Displays, and Controls

• Rotorcraft Multifunction Controls with New Methods of Operation (e.g. Speech/Voice, Touch, Gaze)

• Simplified Controls in Highly Automated Aircraft

• Aircraft Display Features and Functions for Integrated NextGen Flight Ops (e.g. combined uses of Interval 

Metering, Required Time of Arrival)

• Connected Aircraft Automation Systems (e.g. Information Source Differentiation Criteria)

NextGen Human Error and Complex Systems

• Task Management During NextGen Flight Operations 

• Flight Deck Information Management Vulnerabilities 

• Human Factors of Automated Systems

• Resiliency in Human – System Performance

• Integration Communication, Navigation, Surveillance (CNS) Capabilites

• Advanced Pilot – Air Traffic Interactions

• Clearance Complexity

• Communication Technology Design & Use

13

Emerging FY24 Focal Areas (1 of 2)
Advanced Vision Systems

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

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

• Novel Display Technologies, Implementations, and Concepts of Use

• Head-Worn Displays – use of EFVS on a monocular HWD

• EFVS on a HWD for Lower than Standard Takeoff

• Hybrid HWD/Heads-up-Display (HUD) and Dual HWD Installation & Use

14

Emerging FY24 Focal Areas (2 of 2)
Weather Program

Nextgen Air/Ground Integration Human Factors

FY21 FY22 FY23

$ 5M $ 3M $ TBD

15

FY 2024 Planned Research

Research Requirements Outputs/Outcomes

Out Year Funding Requirements

RE&D

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

Pilots

• NextGen Human Factors for Aircraft Systems, Displays, and 

Controls

• NextGen Instrument Procedures

• NextGen Human Error and Complex Systems

• Advanced Vision Systems

• If prioritized for funding:

• Examine the complexity impacts of TBO to 

management of tasks and use of systems.

• Examine the impacts of interdependent systems 

on pilot performance

• Data to understand how next generation aircraft systems, 

operations, and procedures will impact air carrier pilots and the 

expectations placed on them

• Data to take steps to mitigate automation dependency risks 

that could be intensified by NextGen changes with precise 

navigation requirements, and to identify the skills needed for 

next generation aircraft systems, operations, & procedures.

• Data is used to develop and maintain, as appropriate, human 

factors-related rules, guidance, procedures, Orders, 

standards, job aids, and other materials 

F&E

FY21 FY22 FY23

$ 0 $ 0 $ 0

Note: RE&D FY23 is notional. 

This program does not receive F&E funding