[Clarity of flight information in the cockpit of the new aircraft generation].

Fundamental changes of cockpit design in recent years, especially the transition from analogue to digital flight information systems and the use of colour-coded displays, lead to new demands on the visual system of the pilot. Twenty experienced pilots each participated in four 15-min sessions with a simulator program in the new Airbus 340 Simulator of the Technical University of Berlin. The pilots were confronted with various flight situations and events. The simulation program was carried out with visual acuity of 1.0 or better, with acuity reduced to 0.5 and with red and green filters. The time between the display of information and the pilot's reaction was determined. The probands were classified into two groups according to their age (< or = 45 years, > or = 45 years). In both age groups a significant difference was found only with green filters. There was no difference with reduced visual acuity or with red filters, and no differences were seen between the two age groups.