A Study of Psychological Effects of Pilots Depending on the Different Environments between Actual and Simulated Flights

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to examine the psychological effects of pilots caused by the environmental differences between actual and simulated flights by measuring biochemical stress level and subjective stress level.BRBR Background: Currently, the flight system of the air force suffers from several problems including a limited training area, increase of complex and tangled missions and rise in oil prices. In order to overcome these problems an L-V-C (Live, Virtual, Constructive) training system has been proposed as a solution. However, to establish the effective L-V-C training system, it is required to figure out the characteristics of each system first. Also we have to solve the problems which could occur when these systems are connected together.BRBR Method: In order to measure the biochemical stress level of pilots, we investigated the differences in cortisol responses after actual and simulated flight training separately. Meanwhile, we conducted the questionnaire survey of about 40 pilots to identify the subjective stress level of pilots.BRBR Results: There was significant difference in cortisol level between actual and simulated flight tasks. However, we found that there was no significant difference in pilots" feelings about two flight tasks.BRBR Conclusion: The results from this study can be used as basis for the further research on not only how to decrease linkage errors of the L system and the V system but also how to make the L-V training system more practical.BRBR Application: The results of the analysis might help to develop the Live-Virtual-Constructive (LVC) pilot training system.