themselves with a new flight deck or avionics suite prior to
any flight, regardless of whether or not it has a touchscreen
interface.
“We offer a wealth of training solutions ranging from free
iPad training applications, web-based eLearning courses, or
dedicated classroom training that’s held by our pilot
instructors,” a Garmin spokesperson told AvBuyer.
“Whether pilots are looking for training on a standalone
GPS navigator or a fully integrated G5000 flight deck, we
have a training solution.”The Importance of Muscle Memory
Muscle memory also plays a significant role in the transition
towards touchscreen flight decks. “Muscle memory is
important for pilots as a set of actions to do a certain thing,”
Crawford explains.
“In cockpits, controls are often scattered amongst the
available real estate - pedestal, overhead, panel, etc. Certain
heavily-used actions may require using controls in multiple
locations. Touchscreens can greatly simplify some of these
types of arrangements.
“Touchscreens are able to provide status on the same
page as control, replacing the need to use muscle memory
for control locations with a page that can provide a more
intuitive user interface for actions,” he continues. “In
addition, touchscreens can be used to automate a control
action.
“As beneficial as touchscreens are, and as they become
more prevalent in the cockpit, simple, ‘immediate need’
operations may still be best served with a dedicated button
and muscle memory configuration,” Crawford concludes.“Therefore, systems will always need to be matched to the
operation they serve.”
There are instances when muscle memory may actually
negatively affect performance, however. “I personally try to
avoid muscle memory for operations due to the nature of
flight test and our need to understand each control input
and evaluate its intuitiveness and correctness,” Damschen
reveals.
“We do know that many pilots that use touch devices use
muscle memory inputs heavily, but not more so than
traditional FMS devices with mechanical keys and
monochromatic displays.”Operating Logic of Prime Importance
Garmin suggests the operating logic between different
avionics suites and touchscreen flight decks is perhaps more
important. “We purposely design our products so that if
pilots have flown with a product such as the GTN 650/750 in
a Bonanza, they can translate the operating logic over to the
G5000 integrated flight deck in a Beechjet and have a
similar user experience.
“A seamless pilot experience across the entire product
line is essential to avionics and flight deck design.” ❙Mario Pierobon is a safety
management consultant and
content producer. He currently is
working on a research project
investigating aircraft ground
handling safety. Contact him via
[email protected]A AVBUYER .com
http://www.AVBUYER.com AVBUYERMAGAZINEVol 23 Issue 8 2019 113Avionics 1.qxp_Finance 16/07/2019 16:11 Page 2