Anticipatory Processes in Critical Flight Situations

The model of anticipatory behavior control of Hoffmann (2003) is a current concept to describe the central role of anticipatory processes. It extends and changes the focus of the situation awareness concept to describe spatial disorientation. Two simulator studies have been conducted including the exercise black hole approach – a difficult landing procedure at night – with different samples of pilots. Pilots were grouped according to their flight performance in this profile (crash, problems, landing). Results of the heart rate show a significant interaction between the recording sections within the approach and the performance group. Already some miles before the crash point, the increase of heart rate is stronger for pilots who crash-landed. These results indicate that crashed pilots exhibit higher stress levels at the beginning of the landing procedure. This is interpreted as a reflection of subconscious anticipatory processes. Increased awareness about their state should have allowed at least a touch and go maneuver or the decision of flying a go-around

Disorientation in VFR Pilots: Flight Performance and Psychophysiological Changes During a Flight Simulator Training

Disorientation due to flying into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) is a major safety hazard for VFR pilots (VFR: visual flight rules) as confirmed by aviation accident databases. The objectives of our research are the development and evaluation of systematic training programs to cope with different kinds of disorientation phenomena and the analysis of the psychophysiological processes during dis- and reorientation. A study was conducted using the multi-axial moveable flight simulator DISO (AMST Systemtechnik GmbH, Austria). 25 pilots were randomly allocated to one of three testing groups (one control- and two experimental training groups). The flight performance data confirm that participants with a training show better performance data in a test phase than pilots without training. The simulation scenarios are of high impact: Heart rates are clearly increased in response to more demanding segments of flight as e.g. during takeoff and landing. Analyses within the test profile “unusualattitude recovery” demonstrate – in addition to the expected increase of heart rate due to higher mental workload – an important interaction: The increase is lower for pilots having received an unusual-attitude recovery training. First EEG results illustrate changes in the alpha- and beta band due to changing strain. To sum up, this study tries to make a contribution to basic research by analyzing psychophysiological processes as well as to applied science by emphasizing the importance and effectiveness of orientation training programs for VFR pilots