A High Resolution Volumetric 3D Display Systemfor Pilot Training

Flight trajectories of airplanes are three dimensional in nature. Conventional displays used in pilot training facilities can only show two-dimensional sections of the trajectory. This makes the learning of spatial awareness a very difficult problem in pilot training because the operator must mentally visualize a 3D environment by reading and interpreting 2D displays. Furthermore, when the display does not show the third spatial dimension as readily apparent as the other two, pilots tend to solve conflict avoidance problems in the displayed two directions more often than in the three dimensions. For conflict resolution, this implies that a 2D display based training may bias pilots' solution to planar maneuvers. A high resolution true volumetric 3D display device would literally (and figuratively) add a new dimension to the pilot training, advanced human/computer interface, flight trajectory visualization and many other applications in the AF. The volumetric 3D display capability reduces the workload on both pilots and air traffic controllers, resulting in faster recognition and improved situational awareness. This can improve safety and efficiency. The 3D spatial relationship is natural and intuitive, more easily seen and more quickly identified, allowing pilots to make more efficient decisions, to be able to identify conflicts more quickly. The primary objective of this Phase I SBIR program is to investigate the feasibility of a novel volumetric 3D display concept that can provide true 3D, full-color, authosterographic and high spatial resolution 3D images that can be viewed by multiple viewers without using any eyeweat. The second objective of this effort is to develop strategies of synergistically integrating the volumetric 3D display in AF pilot training systems and other 3D visualization systems.