The Effects of Subthreshold Priming Alerts on Pilots in the USAARL TH-67 Microsim
Abstract
The loss of situational awareness is implicated in many aviation accidents. Aircraft flight and systems instrumentation technology has advanced from dials and lighted-strip single-function instruments to visually- and cognitively-demanding multifunction displays (MFD). Twelve rotary wing pilots participated by flying one hour flights in the USAARL TH-67 Microsim. During each flight, pilots were exposed to subthreshold and suprathreshold primes via a frequency scanner. Response times were recorded. Results indicate that pilots responded to cues during the subthreshold periods in 83 of 96 presentations (86.46%). The results indicate that there was a significant association between flight experience and faster subthreshold responses [ 2(42, N = 12) = 60.00, p = .035]. The objective results indicate that a simple subthreshold priming device successfully alerted pilots. The effectiveness and acceptability of employing subthreshold visual cues was supported by the responses to the subjective post-flight questionnaire. A more comprehensive study using a high-fidelity simulator is in progress.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA502472
Entities
People
- Amanda M. Kelley
- Arthur Estrada
- Edna Rath
- Kate J. Hewett
- Pedro A. Cruz
Organizations
- United States Army Aeromedical Research Lab