Quantification of Pilot Workload via Instrument Scan

Abstract

This paper describes work in progress on the use of visual scanning behavior as an indicator of pilot workload. The study is investigating the relationship between level of performance on a constant piloting task under simulated IFR conditions, the skill of the pilot, the level of mental workload induced by an additional verbal task imposed on the basic control task, and visual scanning behavior. The results indicate an increase in fixation dwell times, especially on the primary instrument with increased mental loading. Skilled subjects stared less under increased loading than did novice pilots. Sequences of instrument fixations were also examined. The percentage occurrence of the subject's most used sequences decreased with increased task difficulty for novice subjects but not for highly skilled subjects.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1982
Accession Number
ADP001139

Entities

People

  • A. Ephrath
  • A. T. Stephens
  • J. R. Tole
  • R. L. Harris

Organizations

  • Harvard University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Cognitive Workload
  • Commercial Pilots
  • Dwell Time
  • Eye Movements
  • Flight Instruments
  • Flight Simulators
  • Frequency
  • Glide Slope
  • Indicators
  • Information Theory
  • Instrument Flight
  • Measurement
  • Pilots
  • Probability
  • Regression Analysis
  • Vertical Speed Indicators

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Aviation Science / Aeronautics.
  • Brain and Cognitive Science; Experimental Psychology; Cognitive Neuroscience