Comparing text and graphics in navigation display design

Thirty-six pilots were tested in a flight simulator on their ability to dec ide which of 2 airports was furthest from a storm front, based on the manne r in which information was presented on a navigational display. The results support the superiority of graphical over textual information display. Pil ots were faster using the map display than using either of 2 text displays. In addition, pilots performed better using a north-up display than when us ing a track-up display. Discussion of the results focuses on recommendation s for moving-map displays and the support of the nearest airport function w ithin a navigational display.