Naturalistic Flying Studies

Abstract

Measuring the performance of operators, and how they interact with complex systems is a key issue in identifying risks and improving safety. Naturalistic studies in some transport domains, chiefly road driving, have yielded significant advances in our understanding of road user behavior and road safety. Naturalistic studies of flying are only starting to develop around the world. This discussion panel focuses on the challenges and opportunities presented by “naturalistic flying studies”, in which pilot behavior is automatically recorded continuously by video, GPS, accelerometers and other sensors. Data acquisition systems for recording pilot behavior in light aircraft are now available, at reasonable cost. This panel will facilitate the sharing of experiences across road and aviation domains of this relatively new data collection and analysis method, and the building of collaborations with, and learning from, naturalistic human factors investigations in these and other domains. Naturalistic flying studies can provide a unique range of information including: exposure data; quantification of risk; the nature and rate of system violations; accident and incident data; normative data by age, experience and operator state; the opportunity to validate simulator, performance and self-reported data; and the ability to evaluate the relative efficacy of new equipment, procedures and safety interventions (see Regan et al 2013). Considering the capabilities of naturalistic human factors investigations, panelists will reflect on the priority research areas for naturalistic flying studies and the unique opportunities they present for aviation safety. Issues that may distinguish the aviation context from other domains in which naturalistic studies have been conducted will also be considered.