Tracking Visual Scanning Techniques in Training Simulation for Helicopter Landing

Research has shown no consistent findings about how scanning techniques differ between experienced and inexperienced helicopter pilots depending on mission demands. To explore this question, 33 military pilots performed two different landing maneuvers in a flight simulator. The data included scanning data (eye tracking) as well as performance, workload, and a self-assessment of scanning techniques (interviews). Fifty-four percent of scanning-related differences between pilots resulted from the factor combination of expertise and mission demands. A comparison of eye tracking and interview data revealed that pilots were not always clearly aware of their actual scanning techniques. Eye tracking as a feedback tool for pilots offers a new opportunity to substantiate their training as well as research interests within the German Armed Forces

Simulator Sickness in Flight Simulators of the German Armed Forces

We investigated simulator sickness in jet simulators without motion platforms (Eurofighter), and in a helicopter simulator (EC 135) as well as in a reconnaissance aircraft simulator (P-3C-Orion) with motion simulation. In addition, workload, visual fatigue, and vitality of pilots were measured. In contrast to jet simulators, where no flashbacks were reported, the EC 135 and the P-3C-Orion simulators proved to be problematic, causing severe simulator sickness symptoms or flashbacks. In all three studies, simulator sickness correlated positively with workload and visual fatigue, while correlating negatively with vitality. In line with previous findings, compared with no-motion simulators, motion-based simulators evoke simulator sickness more easily. Back assumptions that higher workload can reduce simulator sickness could not be proved, since positive correlations were found. </jats:p

Ergonomic Assessment of Pilot Workplace

This article presents the development and application of a tool for the ergonomic evaluation of helicopter simulators at a German Army aviation school. We will illustrate excerpts of two assessments and the derivation of technical change requirements by analyzing shifts in expert ratings. Our questionnaire consisted of the categories realism, reference recognition capability, visual characteristics, and training success, and was sensitive to the assessment of simulator modifications: For instance, although the projectors had been replaced, the brightness of the projections received a significantly worse rating, t(48.00) = -4.42, p &lt; .000, implying the need for a continuous technical development with reference to the illumination impression of operators. Results are discussed with regard to simulator sickness and training success. </jats:p

Tracking Visual Scanning Techniques in Training Simulation for Helicopter Landing

Research has shown no consistent findings about how scanning techniques differ between experienced and inexperienced helicopter pilots depending on mission demands. To explore this question, 33 military pilots performed two different landing maneuvers in a flight simulator. The data included scanning data (eye tracking) as well as performance, workload, and a self-assessment of scanning techniques (interviews). Fifty-four percent of scanning-related differences between pilots resulted from the factor combination of expertise and mission demands. A comparison of eye tracking and interview data revealed that pilots were not always clearly aware of their actual scanning techniques. Eye tracking as a feedback tool for pilots offers a new opportunity to substantiate their training as well as research interests within the German Armed Forces.</jats:p

Validating a Patient-Reported Comorbidity Measure with Respect to Quality of Life in End-Stage Renal Disease.

PURPOSE:Medical record-derived comorbidity measures such as the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) do not predict functional limitations or quality of life (QoL) in the chronically ill. Although these shortcomings are known since the 1980s, they have been largely ignored by the international literature. Recently, QoL has received growing interest as an end-point of interventional trials in Nephrology. The aim of this study is to compare a patient-reported comorbidity measure and the CCI with respect to its validity regarding QoL. METHODS:The German Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire (SCQ-G) was completed by 780 adult end-stage renal disease-patients recruited from 55 dialysis units throughout Germany. Acceptance was evaluated via response rates. Content validity was examined by comparing the typical comorbidity pattern in dialysis patients and the pattern retrieved from our data. Convergent validity was assessed via kappa statistics. Data was compared to the CCI. Linear associations with QoL were examined (criterion validity). RESULTS:The SCQ-G was very well accepted by dialysis patients of all ages (response rate: 99%). Content validity can be interpreted as high (corresponding comorbidity items: 73.7%). Convergent validity was rather weak (.27≤ρ≤.29) but increased when comparing only concordant items (.39≤ρ≤.43). With respect to criterion validity, the SCQ-G performed better than the CCI regarding the correlation with QoL (e.g., SF-12-physical: SCQ-G total score: ρ = -.49 vs. CCI: ρ = -.36). CONCLUSIONS:The patient-reported measure proved to be more valid than the external assessment when aiming at insights on QoL. Due to the inclusion of subjective limitations, the SCQ-G is more substantial with respect to patient-centered outcomes and might be used as additional measure in clinical trials