Cadet Pilots Research Articles

Cognitive load assessment for cadet pilots in simulated aircraft environment-pilot study

PurposeThis study aims to propose a methodology aimed at understanding the cognitive and physiological processes inherent in cadet pilot operations. Through analyzing responses from two cadet pilots with varied experience levels across diverse simulation scenarios, the research uses descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA and percentage change analysis to explore crucial variables, including heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV) and respiratory rate (RR).Design/methodology/approachThe investigation meticulously examines HR, HRV and RR under circumstances encompassing resting state, visual flight rules and instrument flight rules with engine failure. Pilots undergo comprehensive analyses employing statistical techniques and visual representations to comprehend cognitive loads and physiological adaptations.FindingsSignificant disparities emerge between the two pilots, elucidating the profound impact of experience on cognitive and physiological outcomes. Novice cadet pilots exhibit heightened variability during scenario transitions, while experienced cadet pilot demonstrate controlled responses, indicative of adaptability. Visual flight simulations evoke distinct responses, whereas instrument-based scenarios, particularly those simulating emergencies, lead to pronounced physiological changes.Practical implicationsThe findings of this research hold practical significance in introducing the proposed novel methodology for monitoring Cadet pilots to refine pilot training simulation protocols and enhance aviation safety by illuminating the interplay between experience levels and scenario complexities.Originality/valueThis study proposes a novel methodology for investigating cognitive and physiological responses in pilot operations, mainly investigating cadet pilots’ vital parameters through diverse analytical methods and an exploration of scenario-specific demands.

Impact of Aircraft Noise and Compliance with the Use of Personal Protective Equipment on Hearing Impairment in Pilot Cadets at Indonesian Civil Pilot Academy - Banyuwangi

Noise in the workplace is a health issue in several countries. Similarly, in the aerospace industry, advanced aircraft, whether for civilian transportation or military purposes, pose risks due to exposure to aircraft noise, which passengers are continuously subjected to at relatively higher intensities and for prolonged periods. The problem of this research is to identify, reduce, and prevent the impact of aircraft noise and compliance with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) on hearing impairment among cadet pilots at the Indonesian Aviation Academy in Banyuwangi. The research objective includes collecting medical records of 57 cadets, measuring aircraft noise levels, and conducting a questionnaire survey. The method used in this study is descriptive quantitative, with 57 respondents. Data analysis was performed to determine the compliance of cadets with PPE usage at the Indonesian Aviation Academy in Banyuwangi. The results show that the noise produced by the aircraft operated by the academy exceeds the permissible noise level (PNL), and the questionnaire results indicate low compliance with PPE usage. However, medical record data reveal that the majority of cadets still have normal hearing, with only 12.3% or 7 respondents categorized as having mild hearing impairment. These findings imply a positive and significant influence of aircraft noise level and PPE compliance on hearing impairment among trainees.

A study of the propensity for communicative aggressiveness in cadet pilots

The article presents a model of personal resource of a civil aviation pilot and the experience of studying one of the components of this model – a communicative resource. The article analyses the results of a study of the propensity for communicative aggressiveness of the 5th year cadets of the Ulyanovsk Institute of Civil Aviation named after the Chief Marshal of Aviation B.P. Bugaev who are studying in the field of “Organization of flight work”. 83 people participated in the study. V.V. Bojko’s questionnaire “Determination of integral forms of communicative aggressiveness” was used as a diagnostic tool. This technique is designed to assess a person’s predisposition to aggression in various situations and contains 11 parameters of explicit and hidden forms of aggressive human behaviour. The article substantiates the relevance of studying communicative aggressiveness as a professional destruction of civil aviation pilots. The analysis of the average group and personal values of various parameters characterising the respondents’ propensity to aggressive manifestations was conducted. Recommendations are given on the development of emotional intelligence of future civil aviation pilots in the conditions of their higher professional education. The experience of the Ulyanovsk Institute of Civil Aviation in the prevention and correction of educational and professional stress of participants in the educational process is presented.

Assessment of the psychomotor fitness level of cadet pilots after a 6-month flight training period - pilot study.

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to investigate the impact of 6-month aviation practice on the improvement of physical fitness and cognitive abilities of cadet pilots.Materials and methodsTwenty cadet pilots (men) with an average age of 22 from the Polish Air Force Academy were tested. Two tests of effort were conducted: before (test I) and after (test II) practical flights. Test of physical effort relyed on the number of rotations of looping accomplished. When performing rotations on looping, in tests I and II, the percentage level of task performance was assessed using a diagnostic and training device. Tasks for the exerciser were sent wirelessly to the glasses from the operator’s position. The heart rate (HR) and blood pressure were measured with a camera-type Microlife AG.ResultsIn test II, there was a statistically significant improvement in the percentage of task completion (p < 0.01) and an insignificant improvement in the performance of rotations on looping compared to test I. After Test I and II demonstrated a statistically significant increase in HR and systolic blood pressure when compared to before test values. Test II illustrated a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure after effort (p < 0.05) with regard to test I.ConclusionThe study showed that cadet aviation practice ameliorated their physical fitness and cognitive skills, as well as helped to diminish their situational stress, which resulted in a decrease in systolic blood pressure after test II.

Development and validation of an assessment index for quantifying cognitive task load in pilots under simulated flight conditions using heart rate variability and principal component analysis

To investigate whether high cognitive task load (CTL) for aircraft pilots can be identified by analysing heart-rate variability, electrocardiograms were recorded while cadet pilots (n = 68) performed the plane tracking, anti-gravity pedalling, and reaction tasks during simulated flight missions. Data for standard electrocardiogram parameters were extracted from the R–R-interval series. In the research phase, low frequency power (LF), high frequency power (HF), normalised HF, and LF/HF differed significantly between high and low CTL conditions (p < .05 for all). A principal component analysis identified three components contributing 90.62% of cumulative heart-rate variance. These principal components were incorporated into a composite index. Validation in a separate group of cadet pilots (n = 139) under similar conditions showed that the index value significantly increased with increasing CTL (p < .05). The heart-rate variability index can be used to objectively identify high CTL flight conditions. Practitioner summary: We used principal component analysis of electrocardiogram data to construct a composite index for identifying high cognitive task load in pilots during simulated flight. We validated the index in a separate group of pilots under similar conditions. The index can be used to improve cadet training and flight safety. Abbreviations: ANOVA: a one-way analysis of variance; AP: anti-gravity pedaling task; CTL: cognitive task load; ECG: electrocardiograms; HR: heart rate; HRV: heart-rate variability; HRVI: heart-rate variability index; PT: plane-tracking task; RMSSD: root-mean square of differences between consecutive R–R intervals; RT: reaction task; SDNN: standard deviation of R-R intervals; HF: high frequency power; HFnu: normalized HF; LF: low frequency power; LFnu: normalized LF; PCA: principal component analysis.

The Influence of the Socionic Characteristics of a Pilot on the Features of Perception and Interpretation of Displayed Flight Instrument Information

The article continues a series of papers by the authors of the results of the study on perception and interpretation by a pilot of visual information provided by flight instruments. The data presented refer to experiments conducted in 2021–2022 with a sample of 50 cadet pilots. According to V. A. Sychev, the wellknown aviation professor, in the piloting technique, perceptual errors are most common. Among many flight instruments important for piloting an aircraft, there is one whose influence on the «Loss of control in-flight» (LOC–I) problem is the greatest – this is the attitude indicator. Several catastrophes are associated with perceptual errors of the readings of attitude indicators. One of the most tragic accidents of this kind was the crash near Perm on September 14, 2008, of a Boeing‑737 aircraft.The paper presents the results of a comparative study carried out to identify individual differences in perception and interpretation by tested cadet pilots of the roll indications on the attitude indicator with the «inside-out» and «outside-in» display options. During task performance, the participants were presented with a sequential series of images in the form of slides with roll indications of the attitude indicator with different display options. The experiment was carried out using a stationary Eye Tracker Tobii REX device. The analysis and processing of the data obtained was carried out using a special computer software developed by A. P. Plyasovskikh at the All-Russian scientific Research Institute of Radio Equipment. The participants to the experiment underwent also psychodiagnostics using Keirsey and MM‑1 socionic tests. Results were subject to mathematical processing with correlation analysis and G-sign test.The arguments given by some authors in favour of the «outside-in» version of the indication were fully confirmed since the number of errors when determining the side of the roll on the «inside-out» display of the attitude indicator turned out to be seven times higher than on the «outside-in» display. The hypothesis that socionic characteristics are predictors of the pilot’s correct perception and interpretation of visual instrumental information has not been confirmed. It is possible that the absence of significant correlations was also influenced by the significant uniformity in the socionic characteristics of the surveyed persons.

Influence of a special training process on the psychomotor skills of cadet pilots - Pilot study.

ObjectivesThe aim of the pilot study was to check the influence of the training process on the Special Aviation Gymnastics Instruments (SAGI) on the improvement of the psychomotor skills, expressed as an increase in the percentage of ability to perform all tasks and the number of reels on a loop.Materials and methodsCadets - second year pilots (n = 20), male, mean age 20.8 years old, studying at the faculty of a pilot. Cadets were carrying out a 40-h special pilot training program on SAGI. They were subjected to two exercise tests (reels forward on looping), before and after the period of special training. Exercise tests were performed with the use of a diagnostic and training device used to assess psychomotor skills. During two tests, heart rate (HR) and blood pressure were measured. The obtained results were analysed statistically.ResultsThere was a statistically significant increase in the percentage of ability to perform all tasks (p < 0.01) and a statistically insignificant increase in the number of reels forward on looping, in test II in relation to test I. A significant increase was found in the correct execution of arithmetic operations (p < 0.05) in test II in relation to test I. In the remaining tests, an increase in results in test II was noted, but it was not statistically significant. There was a significant correlation between the percentage ability to perform all tasks and the number of completed reels in test I (p < 0.05) and insignificant in test II. In test II, a statistically insignificant higher level of heart rate and blood pressure before and after the effort was noted, compared to test I.ConclusionIt was found that the training process on SAGI increased the psychomotority level by increasing the percentage of ability to perform all tasks and the number of reels, in test II in relation to test I.

An assessment of physical efficiency in cadet pilots before and after the implementation of a program preparing for flights.

The aim of the study was to examine the impact of the training program on directed physical fitness. The research involved 35 male cadets of the Polish Air Force Academy in Dęblin. The examined persons were on average 19 years old. All the examined persons were divided into 2 groups. Group I (N = 25, the test group) carried out a program on Special Aviation Gymnastic Instruments. Group II (N = 10, the control group) conducted the standard physical military education program. In both groups, the test was performed twice, before (examination I) and after (examination II) the preparatory process, using the following tests: pull-ups, a 16.5-meter race, a 10×10-meter shuttle race, forward bends, and the Aviation Synthetic Efficiency Test (ASET). The findings obtained in these tests were converted into points for the overall evaluation of physical fitness. The training lasted 70 days. In group I, in examination II, there was a statistically significant increase in the results of pull-ups (p < 0.01), the 16.5-meter race (p < 0.01), the 10×10-meter shuttle race (p < 0.05), forward bends for 2 min (p < 0.05) and the overall physical fitness (p < 0.05), compared to examination I. In group II, in examination II, the authors proved an insignificant increase in the findings when contrasted with examination I. The test results between groups I and II did not show any significant differences in the examined efficiency tests. In group I, in examination I, significant correlations were found between the overall physical fitness and pull-ups, the 10×10-meter shuttle race, the 16.5-meter race, forward bends and ASET. Examination II demonstrated significantly stronger correlations between the overall physical fitness and forward bends as well as ASET. In group II, in examination II, a significant correlation was shown between the overall physical fitness and the 16.5-meter race. A significant correlation between the overall physical fitness and ASET in examination II indicates an impact of the training program on the targeted efficiency of the cadet pilots. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2021;34(5):647-58.

Study of Peculiarities of Coping Behavior of Cadets- Pilots of Civil Aviation

The article substantiates the relevance of the study and development of coping behavior of future civil aviation pilots in the context of their higher professional education. The results of the study are presented, the purpose of which was to determine strength of coping strategies used by cadet pilots in difficult life situations, as well as their types of psychological defenses that «trigger» the mechanism of evading prompt and constructive solutions to personal and professional problems. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study is a stressoriented approach to coping (R. Lazarus, S. Folkman). This approach studies the phenomenon of coping in terms of effectiveness and inefficiency of human interaction with stress factors. As an empirical research method, testing was selected according to the questionnaire «Strategies for coping behavior» developed by a group of scientists from the laboratory of clinical psychology of St. Petersburg Psychoneurological Institute named after V. M. Bekhterev, and the questionnaire of types of psychological defense (R. Plutchik in adaptation of L. I. Wasserman, O. F. Eryshev [et al]). The effectiveness of these methods is confirmed by the results of their application in examination of various categories of tested persons, by retest reliability, internal and external validity. To determine presence or absence of a linear relationship between a number of values of «Confrontation» coping strategy (as, in our opinion, the most destructive strategy in flight conditions) and a series of values of the most pronounced types of psychological defenses of the respondents identified in the study, the method of parametric statistics was applied, calculation of the Pearson correlation criterion. Based on assessment of strength of the correlation between the coping strategy «Confrontation» and psychological defenses «Regression», «Projection», and «Substitution», the degree of their influence on the nature of interaction of pilots in the flight and cabin crew and on flight safety in general was analyzed.

Effect of Video Observation and Motor Imagery on Simple Reaction Time in Cadet Pilots.

Neuromotor training can improve motor performance in athletes and patients. However, few data are available about their effect on reaction time (RT). We investigated the influence of video observation/motor imagery (VO/MI) on simple RT to visual and auditory stimuli. The experimental group comprised 21 cadets who performed VO/MI training over 4 weeks. Nineteen cadets completed a sham intervention as control. The main outcome measure was RT to auditory and visual stimuli for the upper and lower limbs. The RT to auditory stimuli improved significantly post-intervention in both groups (control vs. experimental mean change for upper limbs: −40 ms vs. −40 ms, p = 0.0008; for lower limbs: −50 ms vs. −30 ms, p = 0.0174). A trend towards reduced RT to visual stimuli was observed (for upper limbs: −30 ms vs. −20 ms, p = 0.0876; for lower limbs: −30 ms vs. −20 ms, p = 0.0675). The interaction term was not significant. Only the specific VO/MI training produced a linear correlation between the improvement in the RT to auditory and visual stimuli for the upper (r = 0.703) and lower limbs (r = 0.473). In conclusion, VO/MI training does not improve RT when compared to control, but it may be useful in individuals who need to simultaneously develop a fast response to different types of stimuli.

Posturographic Balance's Validity in Mental and Physical Fatigue Assessment Among Cadet Pilots.

BACKGROUND: Postural control is adversely affected by mental and physical fatigue, but its validity in fatigue assessment has not been investigated systemically among pilots. We explored the correlations of posturographic balance with physiological and psychological signals among cadet pilots.METHODS: In experiment 1, 37 cadet pilots performed a posturographic balance test, heart rate variability (HRV), and profile of mood states (POMS) during 40 h of sleep deprivation. For experiment 2, physiological signals of 60 subjects, including breathing rate (BR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and heart rate (HR) were measured under the effects of physical fatigue. Then correlations with a mental and physical fatigue index based on effective posturographic parameters with those subjective and objective methods were analyzed by linear regression.RESULTS: The mental fatigue index correlated linearly with the depression score of the POMS (r = 0.212), standard deviation of normal to normal beats (r = 0.286), and square root of the mean differences of successive beat intervals (r = 0.207). Meanwhile, linear correlations with frequency-domain parameters of HRV such as total power, low frequency power, and high frequency power were also statistically significant. With the increase in the physical fatigue index, physiological signals such as SBP (r = 0.300), HR (r = 0.349), and BR (r = 0.266) increased linearly.CONCLUSIONS: Impairment of postural stability can reflect the aggravation of mental and physical fatigue among cadet pilots, which provides a potential method for assessing fatigue level before flight tasks and preventing errors by pilots.Cheng S, Sun J, Ma J, Dang W, Tang M, Hui D, Zhang L, Hu W. Posturographic balance's validity in mental and physical fatigue assessment among cadet pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2018; 89(11):961-966.

Differences in sensory reweighting due to loss of visual and proprioceptive cues in postural stability support among sleep-deprived cadet pilots

BackgroundSleep deprivation is known to diminish postural control. Research questionWe investigated whether sleep deprivation affects sensory reweighting for postural control due to loss of visual and proprioceptive cues. MethodsTwo cohorts of cadet pilots were deprived of sleep for 40 h. Variabilty in force-platform center of pressure was analyzed based on the whole path length (WPL); circumference area (CA); mean of displacement along x and y axes and corresponding standard deviations (SDx, SDy); and frequency of body-sway intensity, all of which were recorded while the cadets stood with eyes open (NEO), eyes closed (NEC), and eyes closed on a foam platform base (FEC) A sleepiness index (SUBI) based on principal component analysis of selected Cohort 1 data (n = 37) was used to compare Cohort 2 data (n = 29) with scores for the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS) and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). ResultsBalance began to deteriorate at 16 h for NEO and at 28 h for NEC and FEC (p < 0.05). At 40 h, WPL, CA, and SDy of COP for NEO indicated balance deteriorated further while WPL and SDy for NEC and WPL, CA, SDx, and SDy for FEC indicated balance incrementally improved. Frequency bias of body-sway differed between NEO, NEC, and FEC. In Cohort 2, the SUBI correlated significantly with SSS (p < 0.05), but not with PSQI. SignificanceEffects of sleep deprivation were mitigated over time, suggesting that compensatory mechanisms influenced sensory reweighting for NEC and FEC between 28 and 40 h of sleep deprivation, but not for NEO. Frequency bias of body-sway suggested that sensory reweighting in the absence of visual cues differed from that in the absence of both visual and proprioceptive cues.

Mechanisms of cognitive control in cadet pilots.

BackgroundOptimizing performance of aviators while minimizing risks arising from the exposure to extreme environment, both external and internal, is one of the principles guiding the Israeli Air Force. Young cadets in particular are considered an “at risk” population due to the fact that they have no experience in flight in the first stages of training and are therefore subjects for investigation.MethodsIn this study, we investigated the cognitive performance of young cadet pilots across different hours of the day. 39 cadets were randomly divided into 3 groups: morning, late afternoon, and late evening groups and then tested on a cognitive battery that contained both simple performance measures but also complex measures like dual-tasking and mental rotation test.ResultsThe analysis indicated a significant effect of ‘time of day’ on the participants’ accuracy [F (2, 32) = 3.4, p < 0.05]. In a post hoc pairwise t-tests, we found a near significant (p = 0.52) increase in participants’ accuracy and a significant increase [F (2, 32) = 4.5, p < 0.05] in participants’ reaction time in the late evening group as compared to the morning group. We also found a differential effect of dual tasking on accuracy in the different daytimes [F (2, 33) = 5.6, p < 0.01]. In a post hoc analysis, we found that accuracy in the 1-back task deteriorates from single task condition to the dual task condition only in the morning group (p < 0.05), but not in the late evening or late-afternoon group.ConclusionsThis ‘trade-off’ behavior, slowing down in order to perform better, in the late evening group may be a result of a voluntary control mechanism (top-down processes) activated at night, in this group. The combination of feeling fatigue, along with the understanding that complex tasks are more resource consuming, caused the cadets to check and double-check before answering, whereas in the morning group, they felt alert and vital, and acted more reactively, ended in an impulsive manner that caused to inaccurate performance.

Military Parachuting Injuries among Male and Female Cadet Pilots: A Prospective Study of 59,932 Jumps

To explore the injury mechanism and prevent injuries for the military parachuting of cadet pilots, this paper investigated the injury risk factors. A prospective study of 59,932 static line parachute descents by Chinese People’s Liberation Army cadet pilots (CPLACP), including 186 female cadet pilots with 391 jumps, was performed. Injury risk factors from administrative records included mental qualities, parachuting movements, surface wind speed, protective boots, and gender. Injury data were obtained from emergency room and hospital records. The study indicates that 153 CPLACP were injured, with a total of 168 injuries. The overall injury incidence on basic courses was 2.6/1000 jumps. About 79.7% of the injuries were located in the lower limbs. The most commonly injured sites were ankle and knee, which was 39.3% and 19.0%, respectively, of all injuries occurred. Although the parachuting injury incidence of cadet pilots is smaller than paratroopers’, the potential risk for career-threatening or life-threatening injury is great. This risk can be reduced by appropriate training and attention to detail.

Analysis of Risk Factors for Military Parachuting Injuries among Chinese Air Force Cadet Pilots

Parachuting injuries among cadet pilots often occur because they undergo extensive training within a short period of time. To explore the injury mechanism and to prevent injuries, this paper investigated the injury risk factors for the military parachuting of cadet pilots. A prospective study of static line parachute descents by Chinese Air Force cadet pilots was performed. The study indicates that 153 cadet pilots were injured, with a total of 168 injuries. The injury rates associated with extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors were compared and analyzed by using orthogonal multivariate analysis. Landing is the most dangerous part of parachuting, causing 88% of injuries. Extrinsic factors associated with increased injury rates are higher surface wind speed and third-generation protective boots. Intrinsic factors associated with reduced injury rates are excellent mental qualities, excellent parachuting movements, and female cadet pilots. Strengthening parachuting movements and mental qualities, approving jumps only when basic parachuting conditions are met, and improving protective equipment are recommended strategies for preventing parachuting injuries.

The Investigation of Suitability of Aeronautical Decision-making Mnemonics in Tactical Environments

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the suitability of ADM mnemonics for training decision making in cadet pilots. Sixty instructor pilots and forty-seven cadet pilots in the Republic of China Air Force Academy participated. They assessed the suitability of five different ADM mnemonics (SHOR -Wohl, 1981; PASS -Maher, 1989; FOR-DEC -Hormann, 1995; SOAR -Oldaker, 1995; and DESIDE - Murray, 1997) in the 6 different basic types of decision-making situation described by Orasanu (1993). These included go/no go decisions; recognition-primed decisions; response selection decisions; resource management decisions; non-diagnostic procedural decisions, and problem-solving. The findings indicated that SHOR was regarded as the most suitable mnemonic for application in time-limited and critical, urgent situations and DESIDE was thought to be superior for knowledge-based decisions which needed more comprehensive consideration but were less time limited.