Change blindness in pilot perception of METAR symbology

Objective: To assess General Aviation (GA) pilots' perception of changes in aviation routine weather report (METAR) symbols. Method: Sixty instrument-rated GA pilots were randomly assigned to one of three METAR symbology groups. We assessed pilots' ability to detect changes to the METAR symbols during a simulated flight, and examined the relationship between detection performance and pilots' flight behavior, cognitive engagement, and decision making. Results: Depending on the symbology, pilots varied considerably in their overall detection of METAR symbol change during flight. Pilots who detected the METAR-symbol changes differed in their cognitive engagement compared to pilots who did not detect the changes. Conclusion: Weather presentation symbology affects pilots' perception of symbol change and cognitive engagement. Relevance to industry: The simulation outcome provides important data on the perception of weather-presentation symbology important to the design and optimization of cockpit weather displays. Published by Elsevier B.V.