The influence of training level on manual flight in connection to performance, scan pattern, and task load.

This work focuses on the analysis of pilots’ performance during manual flight operations in different stages of training and situations and also examines the influence of training on gaze strategy. The secure and safe operation of air traffic is highly dependent on the individual performances of the pilots. Before becoming a pilot, he/she has to acquire a broad set of skills by training to pass all the necessary qualification and licensing standards. A basic skill for every pilot is manual control operations, which is a closed-loop control process with several cross-coupled variables. Even with increased automation in the cockpit, the manual control operations are essential for every pilot as a last resort in the event of automation failure. A key element in the analysis of manual flight operations is the development over time in relation to performance and visual perception. An experiment with 28 participants (including 11 certified pilots) was conducted in a Boeing 737 simulated in a high-fidelity setting. For defined flight phases, the dynamic time warping method was applied to evaluate the performance for selected criteria, and eye-tracking methodology was utilized to analyze the gaze-pattern development. The manipulation of experience and workload influences the performance and the gaze pattern at the same time. Findings suggest that the increase of workload has an increased effect on pilots depending on the flight phase. Gaze patterns from experienced pilots provide insights into the training requirements of both novices and experts. The connection between workload, performance and gaze pattern is complex and needs to be analyzed under as many differing conditions. The results imply the necessity to evaluate manual flight operations with respect to more flight phases and a detailed selection of performance indications

From Crewed to Single-Pilot Operations: Pilot Performance and Workload Management

Higher levels of automation have come to replace human roles in the cockpit. Therefore, a further reduction of the crew size from two pilots to one has become an option. Such single-pilot operations (SPO) need to provide at least the same safety standards as today’s two-crew operations (TCO). The present study aims at identifying potential issues in pilot performance and workload during SPO as opposed to TCO. Fourteen pilots flew short ILS approach and landing scenarios in a fixed-base A320 flight simulator. A 2x3 factorial design was used with the factors crew configuration (TCO and SPO) and scenario (baseline, turbulence and abnormal). Performance data and subjective workload ratings were collected. The results suggest that workload might be problematic mostly during abnormal situations. The design of adequate support solutions for such situations will be a major challenge for the implementation of SPO

From Crewed to Single-Pilot Operations: Pilot Performance and Workload Management

Higher levels of automation have come to replace human roles in the cockpit. Therefore, a further reduction of the crew size from two pilots to one has become an option. Such single-pilot operations (SPO) need to provide at least the same safety standards as today’s two-crew operations (TCO). The present study aims at identifying potential issues in pilot performance and workload during SPO as opposed to TCO. Fourteen pilots flew short ILS approach and landing scenarios in a fixed-base A320 flight simulator. A 2x3 factorial design was used with the factors crew configuration (TCO and SPO) and scenario (baseline, turbulence and abnormal). Performance data and subjective workload ratings were collected. The results suggest that workload might be problematic mostly during abnormal situations. The design of adequate support solutions for such situations will be a major challenge for the implementation of SPO

Development of a Passenger Assistance System to Increase the Attractiveness of Local Public Transport

In this paper, we present a concept for an assistance system for public transport passengers currently being developed for Kassel, Germany, and its surrounding area. The assistance system aims at increasing the attractiveness of local public transport by reducing barriers to use, thus promoting sustainable travel behavior. Three main barriers were identified: crowded vehicles, missed connections, and inconveniences in the transportation of shopping bags and luggage. To tackle these issues, three assistance system services were conceptualized: the occupancy rate informing passengers about the occupancy level of vehicles, the transfer connection monitor and secure system giving passengers the option to communicate transfer connection requests, and the delivery service allowing the use of public transport while shopping without the need to transport purchased goods. The three services are presented in detail along with the user interfaces they will be integrated into. Moreover, for the further implementation of the assistance system, a user requirement analysis is outlined. We finally give an overview and outlook regarding the implementation and evaluation of the concept in laboratory studies and a one-year field study

The influence of training level on manual flight in connection to performance, scan pattern, and task load

This work focuses on the analysis of pilots’ performance during manual flight operations in different stages of training and their influence on gaze strategy. The secure and safe operation of air traffic is highly dependent on the individual perfor-mances of the pilots. Before becoming a pilot, he/she has to acquire a broad set of skills by training to pass all the necessary qualification and licensing standards. A basic skill for every pilot is manual control operations, which is a closed-loop control process with several cross-coupled variables. Even with increased automation in the cockpit, the manual control operations are essential for every pilot as a last resort in the event of automation failure. A key element in the analysis of manual flight operations is the development over time in relation to performance and visual perception. An experiment with 28 participants (including 11 certified pilots) was conducted in a Boeing 737 simulator. For defined flight phases, the dynamic time warping method was applied to evaluate the performance for selected criteria, and eye-tracking methodology was utilized to analyze the gaze-pattern development. The manipulation of workload and individual experience influences the performance and the gaze pattern at the same time. Findings suggest that the increase of workload has an increased influence on pilots depending on the flight phase. Gaze patterns from experienced pilots provide insights into the training requirements of both novices and experts. The connection between workload, performance and gaze pattern is complex and needs to be analyzed under as many differing conditions. The results imply the necessity to evaluate manual flight operations with respect to more flight phases and a detailed selection of performance indications

Development of a Passenger Assistance System to Increase the Attractiveness of Local Public Transport

Gefördert durch den Publikationsfonds der Universität Kasse