I bring you a weekly bite-sized chunk of the science behind helicopter human factors and CRM in practice, simplifying the complex and distilling a helicopter related study into a summary of less than 500 words.
TITLE:
Investigating Offshore Helicopter Pilots’ Cognitive Load and Physiological Responses during Simulated In-Flight Emergencies
WHAT?
Simulator study analysing real time physiological measures of pilot reactions to simulated emergencies.
WHEN?
Published 2021 in International Journal of Aerospace Psychology
WHERE?
Montreal, Canada.
WHY?
To develop an understanding of whether measures of physiological and cognitive loading can be used as an objective assessment of pilot performance and training.
HOW?
14 offshore pilots performed six standardised in-flight emergency scenarios (day/night autorotations, engine failures and single engine overspeed). Captains and co- pilots were separated into two groups and their physiological data compared for significant differences to see whether these could be used as indicators of cognitive load or performance. Data gathered included heart rate, respiration rate, galvanic skin response, and eye tracking.
FINDINGS:
- There were no significant differences between co-pilot and captain groups in heart rate, respiration rate, skin response, or mean Index of Cognitive Activity (derived from eye tracking data).
- No significant differences were found between day and night scenarios.
- Maximum values for Index of Cognitive Activity (ICA) were significantly higher for co-pilots than Captains during simulated emergency scenarios.
SO WHAT?
- Flight training and checking is largely based on subjective assessment. Bringing objective data to the assessment process could help direct training if it is noted that a pilot is having difficulty related to specific areas of skill development.
- The use of objective (physiological) measures to indicate cognitive load in training remains challenging in practice although the proliferation of technology in this area has accelerated the possibility of their development.
- Although co-pilots completed the in-flight emergency scenarios with a high degree of proficiency, they may have found them more cognitively demanding than more experienced captains.
- This study recommends the inclusion of eye tracking tech in simulator training to aid evaluation and debriefing of cognitive focus and SA.
- Understanding of visual scan can improve the allocation of attention in the multi-pilot cockpit as well as facilitate transfer of tacit knowledge between crew members.
REFERENCE:
Taber, M. J. (2020). Investigating Offshore Helicopter Pilots’ Cognitive Load and Physiological Responses during Simulated In-Flight Emergencies. The International Journal of Aerospace Psychology, 31(1), 56–69. https://doi.org/10.1080/24721840.2020.1842208
competentaviators.com 