Abstract

Aircrew training design has made significant progress during recent years. However, significant gaps exist both in design methodology and in existing skills. Training in decision-making and judgment is currently haphazard at best. After a brief review of recent literature, this paper presents a conceptual model of judgment performance. The theoretical model is an extrapolation from Jensen and unites the variables of cognitive complexity, time availability, uncertainty, and stress into one coherent model. The model is used to examine current aircrew training and to develop new training strategies for improving judgment performance.

Abstract

This paper outlines an investigation into the worth structures of pilots facing a deviation from a planned flight. A “paper and pencil” simulation was used to frame the situation into which pilots interjected their own decision-making skills in a simple ranking of candidate diversion airports with varying locational, navigational aid, radar, and weather attributes. Using the conjoint measurement technique, attribute worth functions of 30 pilots were constructed. Systematic differences in the worth functions of the pilots were not found as a result of dividing the pilot sample according to any measure of flight hours' experience. However, differences were found when the pilot sample was grouped according to grade of pilot certificate, type of pilot training, and type of flying most commonly done.

Abstract

This research examines the relationships between aircrew compliance with procedures and operator errors. The data for this analysis were generated by reexamination of a 1976 experiment in full-mission simulation conducted by Dr. H. P. Ruffell Smith for the NASA-Ames Research Center. The character of individual operators, the chemistry of crew composition, and complex aspects of the operational environment affected procedural compliance by crew members. Associations between enumerated operator errors and several objective indicators of crew coordination were investigated. The correspondence among high operator error counts and infrequent compliance with specific crew coordination requirements was most notable when copilots were accountable for control of flight parameters.

Abstract

Misjudgments of position in flight and failures to detect other airborne traffic are casualties of the eternal tug-of-war between visible texture and the pilot’s dark focus. The eye is lazy and resists the pull of a distant stimulus, preferring to rest at a relatively short focal distance, as it does in the dark or when looking at the sky. Judgments of apparent size are highly correlated with visual accommodation distance, and the difficulty of detecting airplanes on stationary collision courses is greatly aggravated when focus is trapped by structure close to the eyes. Subject, cockpit design, task, and environment variables all interact to determine what we think we see.

Abstract

The application to aviation psychology of Gibson’s (4) “ecological approach to visual perception” demands information-rich visual displays to adequately and unambiguously enable a pilot to perform flight maneuvers. Optical information often takes the form of invariant properties of a changing optic array, and functional invariants are defined as psychologically effective optical invariants. Their effectiveness is determined by empirical test, but standard experimental paradigms are shown to be inappropriate for testing the effectiveness of information-rich displays. This is due to the presence of inherent and unavoidable confounding factors that are here termed “secondary independent variables” in contradistinction to the “primary independent variables” manipulated by the experimenter. Recommendations for a new methodology and statistical treatment are offered, and the implications for aviation psychology are discussed.

Abstract

Continuing advances in simulator technology have produced almost totally real instrument and aural cue systems, and a number of specialized G-cuing systems are rapidly being matched to the sensory capabilities and needs of flight crews. Intensive research in visual cuing is providing more and more realistic visual scenes and, in general, flight simulators are becoming more real, more complex, and more expensive. It is suggested that Fitts’ “fixation” phase of skill acquisition does not require a flight environment, or even a reproduction of the flight environment, for effective learning and transfer. While similarity between training and operational environments appears to be essential for transfer of training to take place, the concept of similarity may not include the total complex of stimuli available in flight as perceived by the instructor or the simulator designer, but may include only the stimuli perceived by the student as he observes, practices, and validates specific tasks within the period of response fixation. It is suggested that special attention be given to the task information required and the learning functions involved in the fixation phase of skill learning.

Abstract

Adapting aviation certification exams to each examinee’s ability may reduce administration costs and increase the accuracy of certification decisions. Several means of adapting exams are based upon item response theory. Item response theory allows one to empirically describe a test item very precisely before it is administered. Use of each item’s description and an examinee’s response enables one to estimate the examinee’s ability and select the next item to best refine this estimate. An exploratory application of this technique to one step of the certification of private pilots has raised several important questions.

Abstract

Optimal decision making requires an information seeking behavior which reflects the comprehension of the overall system dynamics. Research in the area of human monitors in man-machine systems supports the notion of an internal model with built-in expectancies. It is doubtful that the current approach to pilot training helps develop this internal model in the most efficient way. But this is crucial since the role of the pilot is changing to a systems’ manager and decision maker. An extension of the behavioral framework of pilot training might help to prepare the pilot better for the increasingly complex flight environment. This extension is based on the theoretical model of schema theory, which evolved out of psychological research. The technological advances in aircraft simulators and in-flight performance measurement devices allow investigation of the still-unresolved issues.

Abstract

An experimental comparison of the effect of whole-body sinusoldal and one-third octave-band random vibration on the performance of a display reading task is described. The findings indicate that one-third octave-band random vibration has significantly less effect on performance. Subsequent measurements of rotational head motion demonstrated that this finding may be due to differences in the velocity probability density distributions produced by the different motions. Subjects also performed the visual task during exposure to several broad-band random motions. Predicted error values were obtained by averaging the frequency weighted time histories of these motions. It was found that both R.M.S. and R.M.Q. averaging procedures applied to the broad-band frequency weighted time histories gave accurate error predictions when compared with the measured error scores.

Practical implications of the experimental findings and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Abstract

Results of automated perimetry (Fieldmaster 200, Synemed) in 1,000 subjects are described. In 17 subjects (1.7%) a serious field defect was found. In 9 subjects (0.9%), aspecific defects were found. Computer aided perimetry was found to give reliable results compared with kinetic perimetry. Since the visual field is of the utmost importance in aviation, while mass conventional visual field screening is not possible, it is suggested that use should be made of automated perimetry testing.

Abstract

Mefloquine hydrochloride (WR 142,490) is a new investigational drug which is indicated for the prevention and treatment of cloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria thought to be resistant to other drugs. Available information on mefloquine, particularity its potential for “quinine-like” side effects, is of aeromedical importance. These side effects, if present, would be expected to alter performance and body physiology to a degree which would compromise flight safety. There is legitimate concern for mefloquine’s safe use in aircrewmen. Mefloquine’s potential for “quinine-like” side effects should be evaluated before it is routinely used for suppressive prophylaxis in aircrewmen.

Abstract

Serum ferritin levels were determined in six U.S. Navy divers during a 29d helium-oxygen saturation dive. Progressive increases in serum ferritin were observed during compression. These increases were maintained during decompression and for 1 week postdive. No relationship was found between serum ferritin increases and the development of decompression sickness (DCS). However, the two divers who subsequently developed DCS had significantly higher serum ferritin levels than those divers who remained free of DCS. These findings indicate that DCS does not result in differential serum ferritin variability and may, therefore, not be involved directly in aseptic bone necrosis (ABN) as postulated earlier by others. However, high baseline levels of serum ferritin may be involved in both DCS and ABN.

Abstract

Motivational analysis of a representative group of individuals who volunteer to participate in centrifuge acceleration research at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine was performed. Monetary reward and curiosity were the main reasons for volunteering to participate in the research program. Fear and monetary reward not worth the risk were the main reasons for not volunteering to participate. The major reason for stopping participation in the acceleration research program was not because of volunteer subject-related reasons, but because of being asked to stop for medical reasons by the medical members of the research staff. This type of periodic motivational analysis serves a number of constructive purposes, including self review of human-use research practices and volunteer subject feedback which enhance methods for recruitment and retention of high quality volunteer subjects.

Abstract

This feature is a self-assessment program consisting of 600 questions/answers/references covering all disciplines of aerospace medicine for your continuing medical education. Approximately 25 sets of questions/answers/references will be published each issue of the Journal, requiring 24 months to complete the entire set of 600. Questions each month will be randomly selected from different subject areas. This is a service brought to you by the Aerospace Medical Association. Take advantage of it.