Wireless and Mobile Solutions Practice        Case Study:        Electronic Kneeboard Offers Quick Access to Flight Manuals     __________________________________________________ Challenge The size and awkwardness of paper-based flight manuals can make it difficult for aircrews to locate critical information during an in-flight emergency. Information about flight systems is complex, and the wide variety of potential emergency situations requires that procedures, systems schematics, and performance nomograms be available so crews can diagnose and decide appropriate actions in response to mechanical problems. Result For the Office of Naval Research, CHI Systems Human Performance Engineering Practice analyzed helicopter aircrew's information needs during emergencies and other caution or warning situations. They identified a need for electronic flight manuals. Traditionally, pilots have used a "kneeboard"-a standard clipboard fastened to the pilot's upper leg-as a convenient, in-flight writing surface and to keep important documentation close at hand. The Wireless and Mobile Solutions practice then translated this need into an innovative, wearable prototype kneeboard computer and intelligent electronic flight manual (IE-NATOPS) for Naval helicopter flight crews. The IE-NATOPS pictured here allows users to quickly access content from the manuals electronically, using a stylus to browse and search. CHI Systems developed the hardware and software, and conducted usability tests with flight crews. Using IE-NATOPS was significantly faster than paper-based documents. Return to Case Studies