Assessment Of Pilots Research Articles

Mechanisms and effect assessment of smart city policy pilots on employment resilience: Empirical evidence based on 275 sample cities in China

In the context of a global economic slowdown and structural shifts, comprehending labor market stability is crucial for devising effective macro-employment strategies. This research introduces an innovative framework to analyze employment resilience in the wake of China's smart city pilot policy. Utilizing data from 275 prefecture-level cities across China, spanning 2008 to 2020, the study delves into the beneficial effects of the smart city pilot policy on employment resilience. It employs a dual approach, integrating the Differences-in-Differences method (DID) with robustness analysis. Findings indicate that employment resilience in smart city pilot cities is approximately 0.58% higher compared to non-pilot cities. Factors such as location, size, and city type exhibit varying influences on this outcome. The research further reveals that entrepreneurial activities significantly mediate the link between smart city policies and employment resilience. Additionally, the concentration of manufacturing and productive services, along with their interplay, demonstrates notable moderating effects. This investigation broadens the economic research scope regarding smart cities and offers fresh empirical insights into the labor market impacts of smart city pilot policies, serving as a valuable guide for policymakers in managing employment markets.

Assessment of Pilots’ Cognitive Competency Using Situation Awareness Recognition Model Based on Visual Characteristics

Visual characteristics have the potential to assess the navigational proficiency of ship pilots. A precise assessment of ship piloting competence is imperative to mitigate human errors in piloting. An exhaustive examination of cognitive capabilities plays a pivotal role in developing an enhanced and refined system for classifying, selecting, and training ship piloting proficiency. Insufficiency in situation awareness (SA), denoting the cognitive underpinning of hazardous behaviors among pilots, may lead to subpar performance in ship pilotage when faced with adverse conditions. To address this issue, we propose an SA recognition model based on the random forest-support vector machine (RF-SVM) algorithm, which utilizes wearable eye-tracking technology to detect pilots’ at-risk cognitive state, specifically low-SA levels. We rectify the relative error (RE) and root mean square error (RMSE) and employ principal component analysis (PCA) to enhance the RF algorithm, optimizing the combination of salient features in greater depth. Through the utilization of these feature combinations, we construct a SVM algorithm using the most suitable variables for SA recognition. Our proposed RF-SVM algorithm is compared to RF or SVM alone, and it achieves the highest accuracy in recognizing at-risk cognitive states under poor visibility conditions (an improvement of 86.79% to 93.43% in accuracy). Taken collectively, the present findings offer vital technical support for developing a technique-based intelligent system for adaptively evaluating the cognitive accomplishment of pilots. Furthermore, they establish the groundwork and framework for the surveillance of cognitive processes and capabilities in marine pilotage operations within China.

Competency-based assessment of pilots’ manual flight performance during instrument flight training

A pilot's control behavior has a direct impact on aviation safety. To adapt to new flight training reforms, a competency-based assessment method is proposed in this paper. First, assessment scenarios, key competencies and observable behaviours were determined. Then, observable behavior assessment indexes were developed based on standard operating procedures and practical examination standards. Flight training data were analyzed based on curve similarity theory and a time series fast retrieval algorithm, and the assessment indexes were scored. The competency assessment method was established by quantifying “HOW MANY” and “HOW OFTEN” observable behaviors according to the assessment indexes score results. Finally, the fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm was used to classify the assessment values, and assessment results were obtained. A teardrop pattern procedure was used to test the reliability of the assessment method. The results indicate that the correlation coefficient between the model evaluation and the expert evaluation is 0.947 with a significance level of 0.01, reliably and objectively quantifying manual flight performance and improving the scientific nature of manual flight performance assessment methods. Flight training institutions can use this method to establish diverse assessment scenarios and formulate corresponding assessment indexes based on the characteristics of each pilot to reasonably evaluate the manual flight performance of pilot. Targeted training methods can then be adopted for pilot with different performance levels to improve their competency.

MODELLING A QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT METHOD OF PILOTS’ PERFORMANCE IN EVIDENCE-BASED TRAINING

With the improvement in reliability of modern aircraft systems, an increase in their complexity led to the fact that failures became non-standard and problematic to predict. As a result, IATA guided the development of Evidence-Based Training (EBT), which is an innovative approach to the training and assessment of pilots’ competencies based on the evidence obtained from their performance. Yet, operators planning to use this framework should develop line-oriented scenarios based on EBT methodology and a grading system for a clear assessment. In this paper, a method for modelling a quantitative assessment and grading of pilots’ performance is proposed. The method may be used as part of an EBT assessment programme due to its adaptability to different grading strategies according to quantifiable error criteria, the number of occurrences during the evaluation, and prior data on the distribution of pilots by their competency levels.

Mental Workload Artificial Intelligence Assessment of Pilots’ EEG Based on Multi-Dimensional Data Fusion and LSTM with Attention Mechanism Model

EEG has been proved to be an effective tool for researchers’ cognition and mental workload by detecting the changes of brain activity potential. The mental workload of pilots in aviation flight is closely related to the characteristics of flight tasks. The previous methods have problems such as lack of objectivity, low EEG analysis ability and lack of real-time analysis ability. In order to solve these problems, this paper proposes a multi-dimensional data fusion brain workload calculation method based on flight effect evaluation, which integrates vision, operational behavior and visual gaze, and classifies and analyzes them in combination with EEG data. This method evaluates the mental workload of pilots from three aspects: visual gaze behavior, control behavior and flight effect in the simulated flight experimental environment, and realizes a more objective mental workload analysis. Then, the synchronously collected EEG data are segmented and sampled to form a dataset, and an LSTM neural network model integrating attention mechanism is established, in which the attention mechanism is used to improve the feature processing ability of the network model for the classification of complex EEG data. After machine learning training, the final model can achieve 94% detection accuracy for 2-s EEG data, and has the ability of real-time analysis in the application environment. Compared with the previous similar LSTM model, the accuracy is improved by 6%, which also shows the effectiveness of the model.

Simultaneous real-time assessment of sportive pilots' stress and performance related to vehicle behavior, during racing with the DIM professional simulator

Abstract Background Sports motoring and racing imply high physical and psychological stress, during pre-competition phases and the competition itself. Therefore, there is growing interest of racing teams for new technologies providing real-time monitoring of psychophysiological reactions of pilots to highly-demanding driving and vehicle dynamics, to improve personalized training, while reducing human risks and costs. Professional Driving Simulators (PDS) are ideal to assess in real-time vehicle dynamics under any kind of programmable virtual driving conditions, but a direct connection with the driver's physiology is still limited. A novel wearable system and software have been developed, providing simultaneous assessment of pilot's stress reactions, by real-time calculation and monitoring of time-variant heart rate variability (TV-HRV) spectral parameters (SP) and of skin potential response (SPR), in correlation with vehicle's dynamics. Purpose This study aimed to demonstrate the reliability of the method in detecting the pilot's stress induced by different driving demands. Methods 10 volunteers (age 26±2.3 years) were enrolled to pilot a racing car under realistic conditions simulated by the DIM® PDS (Vi-grade). The study protocol consisted of 5-minutes baseline rest, sitting in the cockpit; 5-minutes driving along a straight highway without obstacles; 6-minutes of medium-stress slalom between cones, avoiding collision; 8-minutes racing 4 laps on a race track, at maximum possible speed, but avoiding crashes. ECG and SPR signals were acquired (1 Khz sample rate), with the Vi-BioBox connected to textile wearable sensors. A proprietary software was developed to analyze and stream the TV-HRV and SPR data in real-time to WINTAX4 data logging software for automotive racing industry. Real-time assessment of the pilot's stress was based on the integration of transient changes of HRV-SP and of the Root Mean Square value of two SPR signals (SPRRMS). To validate the accuracy of the real-time HRV analysis, all data were analyzed also off-line with Kubios Premium 3.4.1. software. Results The Vi-BioBox signals were adequate for real-time calculation and monitoring of transient variations of HRV-SP. A good correlation was found between transient stress-induced increment of pilots' SPRRMS values and the occurrence of driving errors (pink-red spots automatically transferred onto the race track – Figure 1). A good match was found between the real-time HRV values calculated by the VI-BioSoft and their off-line calculation with Kubios (v. 3.4.1 Premium). Two pilots, suffering simulator sickness, had prodromal alteration of cardiac autonomic modulation. Conclusion The integration of a Vi-grade PDS with the novel system for real-time calculation and telemetric monitoring of time-variant HRV and SPRRMS provides immediate information about pilot's autonomic response to driving demands and emotional reaction to vehicle's dysfunction, driving errors and bad performance. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1

The Pransky interview: Dr Gary Guthart, chief executive officer, Intuitive

Purpose The following paper is a “Q&A interview” conducted by Joanne Pransky of Industrial Robot Journal as a method to impart the combined technological, business and personal experience of a prominent, robotic industry turned successful business leader, regarding the commercialization and challenges of bringing technological inventions to market while overseeing a company. This paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach The interviewee is Dr Gary Guthart, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Intuitive Surgical, Inc., and a member of the Board of Directors, both roles he has held since 2010. Guthart discusses his journey to becoming the CEO and also shares some of his lessons learned and challenges faced. Findings Guthart received a bachelor’s degree in engineering physics from California, Berkeley. He earned an MS and a PhD in engineering from the California Institute of Technology. Guthart’s first scientific experience came early in his career in a Human Factors Lab at NASA, supporting a team studying human performance assessment of pilots. Guthart was then part of the core team developing foundational technology for computer-enhanced surgery at SRI International. While at SRI, he also developed algorithms for vibration and acoustic control of large-scale systems. Guthart joined Intuitive Surgical as part of the first engineering team in 1996 as a Control Systems Analyst. He was promoted to Vice President of Engineering in 2002 and was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer in 2008. Originality/value Under Dr Gary Guthart’s leadership and his more than 25 years of medical technology, engineering, scientific and management experience, Intuitive Surgical, Inc., the world’s most successful medical robotics company, has grown to: more than 8,000 employees; nearly 6,000 da Vinci systems sold; more than 8.5 million procedures performed and an increase in stock (NASDAQ: ISRG) of more than 600%. Guthart is also on the Board of Directors for Illumina, Inc., and a member of the Board of Directors for the Silicon Leadership Group.

Assessment of Climate-Resilient City Pilots in China

In early 2017, China officially implemented the pilot program of the construction of climate-resilient cities in 28 regions, and these pilots have taken a series of initiatives to adapt to climate change. Based on the research and practice on climate change adaptation worldwide, this paper constructs an evaluation indicator system for climate-resilient cities with six primary indicators and 15–21 secondary indicators to assess the progress of the pilot program in a comprehensive manner. The study shows that the consciousness of climate adaptation has been strengthened, their adaptive capacity has been improved, and their climate change monitoring capacity and the basic adaptive capacity have been enhanced. Meanwhile, each pilot city has carried out unique system and mechanism innovation and international cooperation and exchange activities, but the progress is uneven, and there is still room for improvement in the overall adaptive capacity. It is recommended that a system for evaluating the progress of the climate-resilient city pilots be established as soon as possible, and that the review of the adaptation actions and highlights of the city pilots be strengthened, so as to raise the political status of the pilot areas and strengthen their consciousness of climate change adaptation.

Evaluation of heart chambers and left ventricular geometry in civil aviation pilots of senior age groups according to echocardiography data

The structural- functional changes of heart chambers (changes in size, volume, shape and function of the heart) are the basis of the cardiac remodeling — an important element of the cardiovascular continuum, which is a key mechanism for the progression of the main cardiovascular diseases. Echocardiography is the main and available method for its assessment.Material and methods. 1189 civil aviation pilots aged 54–68 who underwent routine in-patient examination at the Central Clinical Hospital of Civil Aviation were examined on a regular basis with further medical assessment at the Central Medical Flight Expert Commission of Civil Aviation of the Russian Federation in 2009–2010. The average age was 56.75 ± 0.07. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed for evaluation of the structural-functional indicators of the cardiovascular system in 1170 of flight personnel (98.4%).Results. Enlarged size of the heart chambers was minor and moderate without heart failure and was detected in 4.8% of civil aviation pilots of senior age group. Abnormal geometry of left ventricular (LV) was revealed in 61.7% of the examined civil aviation pilots of senior age group: left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) — in 1% of pilots (concentric LVH — 0.6 % and eccentric LVH — 0.4% cases), concentric remodeling of the LV — in 60.7% pilots. The decrease in LV ejection fraction was observed only in one pilot with EF— 53%. Pilots inapt for flying had enlarged chambers more often than pilots with fitness to fly (9.8% vs 3.35% pilots; p < 0,0001) and LVH (2.9% vs 0.45%; p < 0,001).Conclusions. Echocardiography is an important method for cardiac chambers evaluation, including determination of type LVH geometry. It can be used in the medical assessment of civil aviation pilots of the senior age group.

Impact assessment of rural PPP MaaS pilots

The purpose of this paper is to present the impact assessment results of Mobility as a Service pilots based on public-private collaboration. In the pilots, companies and local and regional stakeholders joined their expertise to experiment with different ways of organizing mobility services in rural areas. The pilots included demand-responsive transport and integrated transport of different user groups and combining trips that include customers paying themselves and those being publicly subsidized. In addition to the call centre service, a smartphone application was introduced. The impact assessment of these pilots spans individual/user, business/organizational and societal levels. The main findings include improved accessibility of transport services in rural areas and resource efficiency in terms of improved occupancy rates of vehicles, reduced driven kilometres and emissions, and cost savings for the public sector.

Needs Based Assessment of Agricultural Pilots in the Upper Midwest

Needs Based Assessment of Agricultural Pilots in the Upper Midwest

A review of current practice in the design and assessment of internal pilots in UK NIHR clinical trials

BackgroundInternal pilots provide useful information which can help to optimise the running of the main trial. Although some recommendations exist in the literature for the design of internal pilots, little is known about current practice in terms of the specification and also the assessment of progression criteria. The aim of the review is to provide an overview of current practice.MethodsA cohort of clinical trials with an internal pilot, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Health Technology Assessment programme (HTA), extracted in 2017 was reviewed. Data were extracted from: project descriptions; summary of changes from the first stage; feedback about the full application; monitoring notes; progress report history and protocols, for information about the design and assessment of internal pilots.ResultsFifty-seven studies were reviewed. An internal pilot was first proposed in the early stages of the trial in the majority of cases. Target number for recruitment, rate of randomisation, retention/primary outcome ascertainment rate, rate of treatment adherence and consent rate were included as progression criteria. All but one study was permitted to continue to the main trial; however, 25% did not strictly meet the progression criteria. Changes were made to the design of the main trial for 25% of studies, mainly in terms of conduct of recruitment.ConclusionsThis review provides insight into the process of designing and assessing internal pilots. Progression criteria are sometimes not met; however, committees involved in the reviewing process will recommend continuation to the main trial, usually accompanied by a second review or close monitoring. Recommendations are made to optimise the process.

An Exploration of the Three-Layer Model Including Stakeholders, Markets and Technologies for Assessments of Residential Smart Grids

In this paper, a framework is presented for the evaluation of smart grid environment which is called the three-layer model. This three-layer model comprises three specific categories, or ‘layers’, namely, the stakeholder, market and technologies layers. Each layer is defined and explored herein, using an extensive literature study regarding their key elements, their descriptions and an overview of the findings from the literature. The assumption behind this study is that a solid understanding of each of the three layers and their interrelations will help in more effective assessment of residential smart grid pilots in order to better design products and services and deploy smart grid technologies in networks. Based on our review, we conclude that, in many studies, social factors associated with smart grid pilots, such as markets, social acceptance, and end-user and stakeholder demands, are most commonly defined as uncertainties and are therefore considered separately from the technical aspects of smart grids. As such, it is recommended that, in future assessments, the stakeholder and market layers should be combined with the technologies layer so as to enhance interaction between these three layers, and to be able to better evaluate residential smart energy systems in a multidisciplinary context.

Aging and Cardiometabolic Risk in European HEMS Pilots: An Assessment of Occupational Old-Age Limits as a Regulatory Risk Management Strategy.

Old-age limits are imposed in some occupations in an effort to ensure public safety. In aviation, the "Age 60 Rule" limits permissible flight operations conducted by pilots aged 60 and over. Using a retrospective cohort design, we assessed this rule's validity by comparing age-related change rates of cardiometabolic incapacitation risk markers in European helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) pilots near age 60 with those in younger pilots. Specifically, individual clinical, laboratory, and electrocardiogram (ECG)-based risk markers and an overall cardiovascular event risk score were determined from aeromedical examination records of 66 German, Austrian, Polish, and Czech HEMS pilots (average follow-up 8.52 years). Risk marker change rates were assessed using linear mixed models and generalized additive models. Body mass index increases over time were slower in pilots near age 60 compared to younger pilots, and fasting glucose levels increased only in the latter. Whereas the lipid profile remained unchanged in the latter, it improved in the former. An ECG-based arrhythmia risk marker increased in younger pilots, which persisted in the older pilots. Six-month risk of a fatal cardiovascular event (in or out of cockpit) was estimated between 0% and 0.3%. Between 41% and 95% of risk marker variability was due to unexplained time-stable between-person differences. To conclude, the cardiometabolic risk marker profile of HEMS pilots appears to improve over time in pilots near age 60, compared to younger pilots. Given large stable interindividual differences, we recommend individualized risk assessment of HEMS pilots near age 60 instead of general grounding.

Pilot Mental Health: Expert Working Group Recommendations - Revised 2015.

In September 2012, the Aerospace Medical Association published and distributed recommendations from its Pilot Mental Health Working Group to improve awareness and identification of pilot mental health issues during the aeromedical assessment of pilots. Following the crash of Germanwings Flight 9525 in March 2015 with pilot suicide as the probable cause, the Pilot Mental Health Working Group reconvened to review their recommendations. As a result, the working group revised the recommendations which are provided here and which were distributed worldwide. The Working Group continues to emphasize the importance of assessing and optimizing pilot mental health, while providing additional recommendations on building trust and rapport between the aeromedical examiner and the pilot, on utilizing aviation mental health and aeromedical specialists, and on the balance between medical confidentiality and risk to public safety. The working group encourages all organizations involved in flight safety to review and consider implementing these recommendations within their usual operations.

Tweets as microfiction: on Twitter's live nature and 140-character limit as tools for developing storytelling skills

ABSTRACTFor many years, the pedagogy of creative writing has been delivered primarily through workshops in which students critique each other's work. Students only need their imagination and a pen and paper to begin writing a story. It has not been necessary for creative writing teachers to prioritise use of emerging technologies and in consequence, creative writing classrooms have remained largely ‘low tech and quaintly humanistic'. This interdisciplinary paper explores from a practitioner-teacher perspective how social media can help develop theory and practice in the pedagogy of creative writing. It does so by presenting an account and early stage assessment of pilots conducted using Twitter with creative writing BA students at a UK University since November 2012. It is argued that the strict character limit of tweets, in combination with their live and public nature, can force critical enquiry into what comprises a meaningful narrative. Summary reflections consider how the Twitter pilots contribute to a new theoretical position that helps bring understanding to skills it is necessary for writers to develop in the face of emerging technologies in the twenty-first century.

Relationship between sustained, orientated, divided, and selective attention and simulated aviation performance: Training & pressure effects

The present study examined how different characteristics of visual attention are related to flying ability. Eighty participants completed one of four attentional tests designed to assess sustained attention (SUSTAIN), attentional orienting (ORIENT), divided attention (DIVIDE) or selective attention (SELECT). Median splits were used to create low and high groups. After completing training, participants executed simulated landings under conditions of high anxiety. For the DIVIDE test, there were significant group differences in: (i) landing ability after training and (ii) the effects of anxiety. The high DIVIDE group had lower root mean square (RMS) errors at the end of training and were less affected by anxiety as compared to the low DIVIDE group. For the ORIENT and SELECT tests, there were significant group effects for training but not for anxiety. The high groups for these tests displayed lower RMS errors following training. There were no group differences for the SUSTAIN test. The results suggest that a test of divided attention may be useful for operational assessment of pilots.

The Aeromedical Implications of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder which is encountered in the pilot population and has clinical features that can impact on the flying role. This retrospective study reviewed the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) experience of Parkinson's disease. The aeromedical implications of the condition are discussed and the UK CAA policy for the certificatory assessment of pilots with Parkinson's disease is described. A search of the UK CAA medical records database from 1990 to 2015 identified 34 pilots with a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. Data was extracted for the class of medical certificate, time from first symptoms to diagnosis, age at diagnosis, the time from diagnosis to loss of certification and the reasons for loss of certification. Of 15 professional (Class 1) and 19 private (Class 2) pilots, the mean time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 36 and 19 mo, respectively. The mean ages at diagnosis were 55 and 59 yr, respectively. The mean interval from diagnosis to loss of certification was 21 (0-93) and 37 (0-84) mo, respectively. The reasons for loss of certification are considered. In the UK, pilots diagnosed with Parkinson's disease may be granted medical certification depending on their functional ability and the side effect profile of medication. The aeromedical implications of Parkinson's disease and the UK CAA policy for the certification of pilots with Parkinson's disease are discussed.

Assessment of Allowance Mechanismin China's Carbon Trading Pilots

Abstract The allowance mechanism is one of the core and sensitive aspectsindesign of a carbon trading scheme andaffects the compliance cost for each company covered under the scheme. By examiningChina's allowance mechanismfromtwo aspectsincluding allowance allocation and allowance distribution, this paper comparesChina's carbon trading pilots with the EU Emissions Trading System and CaliforniaCap-and-Trade Program, and through the comparison identify issues that affectthe efficiency of the pilots. The paper also recommends course of actions to strengthen China's existing pilots and buildvaluable experiences for the establishment of the national cap-and-trade system in China.

Human Factor Modelling in the Risk Assessment of Port Manoeuvers

The documentation of human factor influence on the scenario development in maritime accidents compared with expert methods is commonly used as a basis in the process of setting up safety regulations and instructions. The new accidents and near misses show the necessity for further studies in determining the human factor influence on both risk acceptance criteria and development of risk control options for the manoeuvers in restricted waters. The paper presents the model of human error probability proposed for the assessment of ship masters and marine pilots' error decision and its influence on the risk of port manoeuvres.