Eye-tracking study on interaction of cadet pilots with electronic flight instrument system

Abstract

Eye-tracking study of human factor in civil aviation is a promising area. This technology is an important tool for studying pilot's visual attention distribution. From a methodological point of view, the ultimate goal of Eye-tracking technology is to improve the interaction of pilots with electronic flight instrument system (EFIS). The aim of the research was to reveal the peculiarities of attention distribution of cadet-pilots with different levels of training when performing simulator flights taking into account their psychophysiological profile and also to establish a possible relationship between Eye-tracking parameters and flight performance. To achieve this goal experimental flights were performed on simulator DA40 NG FNPT II in Ulyanovsk Institute of Civil Aviation. The psychophysiological study included following tests: Eysenck's personality questionnaire (extra- and introversion, neuroticism), Spielberger state anxiety assessment (STAI) and WAM questionnaire (well-being-activity-mood) which were done before and after simulator flights. During the flight the instructor assessed flying performance considering the maintaining of following flight parameters: speed, heading and altitude. As a result of cluster analysis using K-means method, two clusters of cadet-pilots were identified in each group of participants. Also, a correlation analysis was carried out between Eye-tracking parameters and indicators of flight performance. It is shown that there is a correlation of Reverse Saccades and Fixation Count with indicators of flight performance in two of four identified clusters. Taking into account the development of Eye-tracking studies flight instructors or other personnel involved in the initial pilot training can compare visual attention distribution of cadet-pilots with different level of training taking into account their psychophysiological profile in order to identify the most successful gaze strategies with EFIS.