Airline Flight Crews Research Articles

Computer Animation in Mock Juries' Decision Making

This experiment examined the effect of different presentation modes of demonstrative evidence on mock jurors' perceptions of defendants' responsibility for a fatal accident. The experiment involved opening arguments of a mock civil lawsuit based on facts derived from an actual commercial jet crash. 72 adult students formed mock juries and were presented demonstrative evidence in one of three modes: (1) a computer simulation of the accident, (2) an audiotape and written transcript of the cockpit voice recorder, or (3) an individual reading the transcript of the cockpit voice recorder. The juries' ratings of the responsibility of the airline flight crew were significantly lower in the computer-simulation condition. Surprisingly, no differences in recognition of accident information were found across the three conditions. The findings are discussed in terms of potential attribution bias and empathy caused by the pilot's-eye perspective used in the computer animation.

Psychological Assessment of Airline Pilot Applicants With the MMPI-2

Psychological tests like the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) have been used widely to assess personality characteristics and appraise potential mental health problems of individuals applying for responsible positions. This study had three major goals: First, these data allowed for an evaluation of the effects of the new norms for the traditional validity and clinical scale scores of the MMPI-2 in an employment selection program. Second, the effects that test defensiveness had on the MMPI-2 scores of a group of individuals, airline pilot applicants who were taking the test in a preemployment context, were evaluated. Third, useful descriptive information was provided on the performance of airline pilot applicants on MMPI-2 scales to give interpretive guidelines for using the MMPI-2 in psychological screening. A sample of 437 airline pilot applicants seeking employment as airline flight crew members was administered the MMPI-2. Results of the study showed that the MMPI-2 norms were more appropriate for characterizing pilot applicants than were the original MMPI norms, which tended to overpathologize test takers. The effects of defensiveness on MMPI-2 profiles were found to be pronounced. Interpretive guidelines for using the MMPI-2 in personnel screening were proposed.

A Testbed for the Evaluation of Computer Aids for Enroute Flight Path Planning

We have conducted a simulator study of five airline flight crews engaged in various enroute planning activities. Based on a cognitive task analysis of this data, a flight planning workstation has been developed on a Mac II controlling three color monitors. This workstation is being used to study design concepts to support the flight planning activities of dispatchers and flight crews in part-task simulations.

Information Transfer in Pilots' Use of a Collision Avoidance System

This paper describes a study of pilots' use of the Traffic-alert and Collision Avoidance System. Three levels of information on the location of other air traffic were presented to different groups of airline pilots. (These levels represent the approaches taken by several airlines who have installed the collision avoidance system for an in-service evaluation.) Current airline flight crews flew a Boeing 727 simulator for eight flights with a set of encounters with other aircraft. To ensure safe separation from the approaching aircraft, the collision avoidance system commands a climb, a descent, or a reduction in rate of climb or descent. Aircraft separation was effective when the system was in use; no aircraft came within 200 feet vertically and 1000 feet horizontally. No measure of response time showed performance effects across display conditions. Response accuracy, as measured by the overshoot in rate of climb or descent, was significant: the mean for condition 1 (no traffic information) was 2246 feet/minute, condition 2 1220 feet/minute, and condition 3 1304 feet/minute (F=4.57, df=2,64, p<.05). However there were no resultant differences in the amount of altitude change. No learning effects were observed. Differences in flight experience did not contribute to the performance difference found. The results of this research represent pilot behavior when introduced to the Traffic-alert and Collision Avoidance System. The findings of this program also have more fundamental importance in addressing how much and in what manner information should be presented to flight crews.

Appropriateness of Readability of a Federal Aviation Agency Regulation, a Flight Crew Manual, and a Company-Pilot Labor Agreement for an Airline's Pilots

Appropriate readability of a Federal Aviation Agency regulation, an airline flight crew manual, and a company-pilot labor agreement for an airline's pilots was examined. Analyses of FOG readability indices did not confirm appropriateness of regulation or agreement for pilots ( too difficult); however, analyses did confirm appropriateness of crew manual for pilots (essentially equal level).

Training Airline Flight Crews

One of the important cost centers for an airline is flight crew training. Major commitments of capital and operating funds are necessary to qualify and maintain the proficiency of several thousand highly paid men. These men are responsible for aircraft that may cost in excess of $20 million per unit and which must be kept flying to produce revenue. Poor performance on the part of flight crews is reflected in the performance of the company. In addition to being the focal point of attention because of its expense, flight training also attracts attention for other reasons.