The goal of the present study was to investigate how different manual input devices interact with spatial cognition in single or double-step transitions in an operational navigation aeronautical environment. The first step consisted in subjects performing an active trajectory modification followed by the automated reorientation of the updated flight path in reference to the initial viewpoint. The second step, when applying, consisted in a second transformation that could be either a translation (from Central to Temporal or vice versa) or a tilt of the viewpoint (2D to 3D or vice versa).
The results show an effect of the initial viewpoint, as well as an effect of translation on the performance. The effect of input devices on spatial memory (as measured by accuracy) showed to be dependent upon the amplitude of the deviation between initial and final ownship positions, suggesting an effect of manual control.