Physiological Data Used to Measure Pilot Workload in Actual Flight and Simulator Conditions

Abstract

Three physiological measures of workload; heart rate, eye blink, and EEG were recorded from eight experienced A-7 attack aircraft pilots. Each pilot flew the same familiar training mission three times; one mission in the lead position of a four ship formation and the other as wing, and once in an A-7 simulator. The mission lasted approximately 90 minutes and consisted of take-off, low altitude terrain following, high G maneuvers, inflight navigational updates, weapons delivery, and a high altitude cruise to base, ending in a formation landing. The data show significant differences between simulated and actual flights for all measures. There were also significant differences between mission segments for each pilot. The heart rate data most obviously reflect the changes in workload level throughout the mission and between flight position and simulator. Blink rate and duration were sensitive to changing visual attentional demands. The EEG data showed differences between the actual flight missions and the simulator.