Beyond Traditional Radio: Exploring Spatial-audio Systems for Enhanced Communication in Multitasking Flight Environments

Pilots often operate within large formations that include both aircraft and drones, making the spatial arrangement of these units critical for successful formation flying and the prevention of safety hazards. Effective communication among formation members, typically transmitted through radio messages, heavily relies on understanding the spatial relationships between individual aircraft. This is particularly crucial in low-visibility situations, where visual contact is limited. Current systems lack spatial cueing capabilities, which can hinder the clarity and effectiveness of communication. Recent advancements in spatial audio technology, specifically 3D audio, offer a potential solution by incorporating spatial cues into radio transmissions. By providing directional information about the transmitting aircraft, spatial audio could significantly improve situational awareness within the formation. Building on prior research into audiovisual integration in cockpit environments, this study investigates the impact of congruent and incongruent spatial cueing, as well as the absence of spatial cueing, on radio communication in low-fidelity flight scenarios. The study aims to determine whether 3D audio systems can enhance communication performance in multitasking flight environments. The findings have implications for the design of cockpit interfaces and radio communication systems.