Employing a User-Centered Approach for Evaluating a VR-based Pilot Training System

Researchers took a user-centered approach to evaluate pilots’ preferences and perceptions of training with an innovative VR-based immersive training device (ITD). Over the course of one week, usability and user experience data were gathered from U.S. Air Force instructor pilots (IPs), unqualified instructor pilots (UIs),and student pilots (SP). Coming from various squadrons, these pilots provided feedback regarding their interactions with the ITDs. A think-aloud protocol, observations, and surveys were used to capture participants’ perceptions of the different hardware variants using the following usability metrics: fit and feel, function, and sustained and future use. At this stage of the development, various configurations of the ITDs were evaluated to determine which technological components should be included in the final design. The data presented here focused on one of those components, the aircraft control or center stick. The results for the stick component will be discussed as a use case as it illustrates the user-centered approach and data analysis strategy that captured and identified noteworthy differences in perceived training value.

A STUDY ON EMERGING ADULTHOOD IN HELLENIC AIR FORCE CADETS IN GREECE

This paper presents the findings of the research carried out at the Hellenic Air Force’s 120 Air Training Wing, with the objective to define the characteristics and dimensions of emerging adulthood among student pilots during the initial and basic phase of flight training, and also to investigate the extent to which these characteristics are related to the type and content of their training. As shown by comparing the findings of the research with similar studies in the Greek context, in which students have participated, student pilots seem to be crossing the threshold of adulthood much earlier than their peers who are university students. Moreover, due to the content of their training, their views on the characteristics and dimensions of adulthood focus mostly on responsibilities and duties rather than on the rights of the adult phase of life. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0743/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

FORMULAIC LANGUAGE IN AERONAUTICAL ENGLISH – FRIEND OR FOE

The paper discusses formulaic language, its classification, function, and its role in Aeronautical English. On the one hand, using idiomatic expressions in aviation communication may lead to ambiguity, confusion and communication breakdown. On the other hand, teaching formulaic expressions to student pilots and air-traffic controllers can have positive effect on their fluency and help them develop their interactive communicative skills. Despite the fact that research on formulaic language acquisition has been modest, the paper suggests that it should be incorporated in an aeronautical English syllabus.

Self-Medication Among Ab Initio Pilots

INTRODUCTION: Pilots are more aware of drugs and self-medication in the internet age. However, they are unaware of the effects of self-medication, which may impede their cognitive and decision-making performance. The aim of this study was to determine the awareness levels of ab initio (student) pilots on self-medication and factors contributing to the prevalence of self-medication among them. To the best of the authors knowledge, this is the first study examining ab initio pilots knowledge on medication use and the causality of self-medication among them.METHODS: A 17-item questionnaire was developed and administered online to 500 students across 5 flight training organizations (FTO) in Turkey. The response rate was 97/500. For the descriptive analysis of the data, SPSS (the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) was used.RESULTS: Based on the results, fear of medical disqualification and job loss is the most significant factor resulting in the prevalence of self-medication among ab initio pilots. Most of the ab initio pilots (88.7%, N 86) were aware of self-medication and its threat to flight safety. Furthermore, three factors influencing the level of awareness and knowledge of ab initio pilots on this subject were evaluated.DISCUSSION: All flight training organizations should educate ab initio pilots on the consequences of self-medication. Furthermore, ab initio pilots should be encouraged to consult an aeromedical examiner with any ailment before a flight.Kilic B. Self-medication among ab initio pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(3):167171.

Fatigue Among Student Pilots

INTRODUCTION: Fatigue is an important phenomenon in modern aviation. Despite the progress in research concerning fatigue among civil aviation and military pilots, fatigue in student pilots has remained unexamined. The aim of this study was to examine fatigue among ab-initio pilots. In this study, the fatigue model previously proposed and used in the literature is redesigned for ab-initio pilots.METHOD: A 48-item questionnaire was applied. Factor analysis was performed using SPSS. The data were collected from 114 ab-initio pilots.RESULTS: It was determined that 23% (N 26) of the participants included in the study were women and 77% (N 88) were men. When the license types of the participants were analyzed, it was seen that 11% (N 13) had commercial pilot licenses (CPL; N 80), 70% had private pilot licenses (PPL), and 18% (N 21) had student pilot licenses (SPL). Results showed that seven performance factors (types of flight, training scheduling, crew composition, environment of the aircraft, types of accommodation, flight training-related issues, and biological issues) affect ab-initio pilots fatigue on various levels.DISCUSSION: The findings may help flight training organizations and ab-initio pilots take assertive preventive measures against fatigue.Kilic B. Fatigue among student pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(1):2024.

More than Means: Characterizing Individual Differences in Pupillary Dilations

This study sought to characterize individual differences in pupillary dilations during a simple cognitive task. Eighty-four Navy and Marine Corps student pilots performed a digit memory recall test while their pupillary data were recorded. Results showed that peak pupil sizes significantly increased with difficulty of the memory task, however variability in pupillary dilations was substantial, with only 51% of individuals’ data corresponding with the aggregate results and dilations varying between participants by as much as 1 millimeter. The analyses presented in this paper illustrate the large individual variability that exists in pupil data, between individuals and even within individuals on a trial by trial basis. This work serves as a benchmark for understanding variability in pupillary dilations and encourages follow on work to explore casual mechanisms of differences in pupil dilations across individuals, especially before using pupil data for applied purposes.

Roles of Physiological Responses and Anthropometric Factors on the Gravitational Force Tolerance for Occupational Hypergravity Exposure

Gravity in the head-to-toe direction, known as +Gz (G force), forces blood to pool in the lower body. Fighter pilots experience decreases in blood pressure when exposed to hypergravity in flight. Human centrifuge has been used to examine the G tolerance and anti-G straining maneuver (AGSM) techniques of military pilots. Some factors that may affect G tolerance have been reported but are still debated. The aim of this study was to investigate the physiological responses and anthropometric factors correlated with G tolerance. We retrospectively reviewed the training records of student pilots who underwent high G training. Variables were collected to examine their correlations with the outcome of 7.5G sustained for 15 s (7.5G profile). There were 873 trainees who underwent 7.5G profile training, 44 trainees (5.04%) could not sustain the test for 15 s. The group with a small heart rate (HR) increase (less than 10%) during the first 1–5 s of the 7.5G profile had a nearly ten-fold higher failing chance compared with the large HR increase group (adjusted odds ratio: 9.91; 95% confidence interval: 4.11–23.88). The chances of failure were inversely related to the HR increase percentage (p for trend <0.001). Factors, including body mass index, relaxed and straining G tolerance, and AGSM, were found to be negatively correlated with the outcome.