Colloquium: Misha Schweitzer (C&O)

This study explores the application of cognitive work analysis (CWA) and ecological interface design (EID) in the development of a novel display system for a Dash 8 Q300 aircraft retrofitted with a hydrogen-electric fuel system. By leveraging CWA and EID, this research aimed to address the challenges of managing cognitive complexity in next-generation aviation systems, focusing on designing interfaces that enhance pilot decision-making and situational awareness. These analytical frameworks informed the design process, ensuring that the displays were tailored to the cognitive demands of the pilots. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed designs, interviews were conducted with a regional commercial pilot, an airworthiness engineer, and a test pilot. These interviews provided qualitative insights that confirmed the applicability of the CWA/EID-based designs, particularly emphasizing the need for simplicity and clarity in time-constrained regional operations. The study highlights the importance of focusing display content on critical and abnormal conditions to reduce cognitive load, aligning with rule-based behavior (RBB) frequently employed by pilots.

Supervisor: M.M. Van Paassen