Other Psychiatry and Psychology Commons^™

Applying Principles Of Music Scene Analysis To Synchronous Auditory Warning Signals, Matthew J. Davis

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

In emergency situations pilots are often presented with the difficult task of distinguishing between simultaneous auditory warning signals, each with varying levels of importance. This inability to effectively discriminate between synchronous warnings can lead the pilot to ignore certain signals, to misinterpret them, or to be simply unaware of their presence. The creation of signals that could be easily construed and distinguished from other simultaneous signals would not only be desirable but would also contribute to increased situational awareness and better decision-making during emergencies.

High-Fidelity Simulation And Training To Improve Coordination Between Aerospace Specializations, Paul A. Craig, Richard G. Moffett, Glenn E. Littlepage, Michael B. Hein, Andrea M. Georgiou, Gerald L. Hill, Jennifer A. Henslee, Paul R. Carlson, Nora A. Cole, Joseph H. Cooper, Durant Bridges, Justice Amankwah, Donald J. Tipton, Alan Waid

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

This Symposium contains the first reports of research being conducted at Middle Tennessee State University using a scenario-based teaching methodology with students across multiple disciplines of aviation training. The MTSU Center for Research on Aviation Training is a NASA funded project that had built a replica of an airline’s flight operations center. The basic research of the project involves the interactions between aviation professionals. These interactions can produce smooth and safe operations for passengers, profits for employers and economic benefits for the national and the world – or these interactions can yield chaos, frustration and loss of revenue. This research …

The Continuing Challenge Of Aviation Safety In Africa., Dr. Maxine Lubner, Dr. Stephen Braccio, Michael Bartron, Al Logie

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

This study follows an epidemiological approach to examine possible predictors of and current interventions for safety in aviation transportation in two regions with widely different safety records: New York (NY) representing several regions in the US, and Tanzania (Tz), representing several regions in Africa. For most transportation modes, NY has one of the best and Tz has among the worst safety records. This paper identifies some of the similarities and differences between the two regions in order to find ways to improve the safety record in Tz and to ensure that safety continues to improve in NY. Several US, African, …

Multiteam Coordination In Simulated Airline Operations: Assessment Of Interpositional Knowledge And Task Mental Models, Glenn E. Littlepage, Jennifer A. Henslee

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

Effective airline operations require coordination among various specializations such as pilot, flight dispatch, and maintenance. Interpositional knowledge (IPK) and task mental models are emergent cognitive states that can facilitate effective coordination. This study examined the extent of IPK and similarity and accuracy of task mental models among aerospace students. Results indicated relatively low levels of IPK and mental model similarity and moderate levels of mental model accuracy. Training activities that enhance IPK and task mental models have the potential to improve coordination and performance of airline personnel.

The Digital Migration Of Research Dissemination In Aviation Psychology Disciplines, Brent D. Bowen, Erin E. Bowen, Henry R. Lehrer, John H. Mott, Charles T. Watkinson, Mark P. Newton, Jennifer Kirschner

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

Innovations in research dissemination have emerged over the last decade in the movement toward on-line digital materials and distribution by increasingly environmentally-friendly processes. The access to scholarship has often been limited to major research organizations capable of funding subscriptions, the costs of which have escalated to prohibitive values. Demonstrated herein is a model for world-wide open access to the latest contributions to the foundations of our discipline. The development of a systemic process to cross boundaries so that overall progress can result through the integration of research and industry practice at the individual level is provided. The foundational relationships and …

Sleep Estimates In Children: Parental Versus Actigraphic Assessments, Ehab A. Dayyat, Karen Spruyt, Dennis L. Molfese, David Gozal

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

Background: In the context of increasing awareness about the need for assessment of sleep duration in community and clinical settings, the use of questionnaire-based tools may be fraught with reporter bias. Conversely, actigraphy provides objective assessments of sleep patterns. In this study, we aimed to determine the potential discrepancies between parentally-based sleep logs and concurrent actigraphic recordings in children over a one-week period.

Methods: We studied 327 children aged 3–10 years, and included otherwise healthy, nonsnoring children from the community who were reported by their parents to be nonsnorers and had normal polysomnography, habitually-snoring children from the community …

Minimal Information For Neural Electromagnetic Ontologies (Minemo): A Standards-Compliant Method For Analysis And Integration Of Event-Related Potentials (Erp) Data, Gwen Frishkoff, Jason Sydes, Kurt Mueller, Tim Curran, John F. Connolly, Kerry Kilborn, Dennis L. Molfese, Charles Perfetti, Allen D. Malony

Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior: Faculty Publications

We present MINEMO (Minimal Information for Neural ElectroMagnetic Ontologies), a checklist for the description of event-related potentials (ERP) studies. MINEMO extends MINI (Minimal Information for Neuroscience Investigations)to the ERP domain. Checklist terms are explicated in NEMO, a formal ontology that is designed to support ERP data sharing and integration. MINEMO is also linked to an ERP database and web application (the NEMO portal). Users upload their data and enter MINEMO information through the portal. The database then stores these entries in RDF (Resource Description Framework), along with summary metrics, i.e., spatial and temporal metadata. Together these spatial, temporal, and functional …

Identifying Training Gaps In Rq-7b Shadow: A U.S. Army Unmanned Aircraft System, John E. Stewart, Martin L. Bink

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

The mission of the RQ-7B has changed radically since 2003, when unmanned aircraft system (UAS) ownership shifted from Military Intelligence (MI) to Army Aviation. Instead of passive observation, RQ-7B operators must now acquire active scout-reconnaissance skills. Initial training takes place at Ft. Huachuca, AZ, the Army’s main MI installation. Operators then report to their unit, usually a Brigade Combat Team (BCT). This research focused on (a) type training received at the schoolhouse (MI/scout-reconnaissance), (b) training received at the BCT, and (c) opportunities for training. It was found that schoolhouse training still was primarily MI, (e.g., image analysis and vehicle identification). …

Preliminary Program Assessment For Attracting Physically Disabled Individuals To Aviation, Erin E. Bowen, Bernie Wulle, Michael E. Jednachowski

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

Developing effective aircraft piloting skills takes years of training with qualified experts to meet and exceed flight certification requirements. Not everyone who desires to can reach those standards, and the challenge is even greater for those with physical disabilities who desire to learn to fly. While considered uncommon, there are opportunities that seek to modify aircraft and train physically impaired students to be pilots. However, little research has been done on whether there also needs to be modification in the approach of flight and ground instructors when training impaired students. The present study presents preliminary findings of a qualitative study …

Effects Of Commuting On Crewmember Fatigue: A Comprehensive Study In Support Of Risk Management, Lori J. Brown, Geoff Whitehurst

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

The need to reduce accidents and incidents caused by human fatigue in the aviation industry remains on the National Transportation Safety Boards’ (NTSB), most wanted list. At many airlines, crewmembers are forced to work to the point of exhaustion because of: poorly scheduled duty time; lengthened duty days; minimum scheduled rest requirements; working the backside of the clock, multiple short-haul legs; and long commutes to work. Although, commuting, in the context of aviation, has yet to be defined, the U.S. Census Bureau defines an ‘extreme commute’ as a travel 90 minutes or more, each way to work. Americans who endure …

Towards Integrating Traffic And Terrain Constraints Into A Vertical Situation Display, C. Borst, P. Rijneveld, M. Mulder, M.M. (René) Van Paassen

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

Future airspace operations will allow flight crews to plan and fly their own preferred route and time of arrival without much intervention from air traffic control. Thereby, pilots will become more responsible for planning their own route while maintaining safe separations from traffic and/or terrain. This demands for strategic and tactical planning tools that supports pilots in these tasks. The work in this paper focuses on supporting the airborne separation assurance task in the vertical plane by means of portraying traffic and terrain conflict zones onto an enhanced Vertical Situation Display. In a simulator evaluation the experimental display was compared …

Improving Human Factors Training: Perceptions Of Retired Aircraft Maintenance Technicians, Kim Wayne Robinson

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

Human Factors training is a major concern for airlines and Maintenance Repair Organizations. This study taps into the reservoir of knowledge and experience of retired Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) with respect to aviation maintenance human factors. A survey was given to retired AMTs with 20-30 years of maintenance experience to rank the relative importance of each of the FAA’s Dirty Dozen of human factors in maintenance accidents. Follow-up focus groups were conducted to further explore recommendations on how to prevent human factor accidents related to maintenance. This paper discusses the findings from the original survey and preliminary findings from the …

Selection Requirements To Work In Future Atm Systems, Hinnerk Eißfeldt, Alexander Heintz, Dirk Schulze Kissing

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

Different findings concerning staff selection requirements for future Air Traffic Management (ATM) resulting from empirical studies and expert judgement are summarised. The biggest impacts are foreseen for ATCO’s, commercial pilots, ATM technical staff and a/c maintenance staff, mainly related to advanced ATM concept features. An empirical study involving ATCOs and pilots encompassing workshops and simulations studying elements of a free flight scenario revealed significant changes in ability requirements for ATCOs and pilots. They indicate higher ability requirements for pilots in future ATM systems and only small changes for air traffic controllers. Pilot and air traffic controller profiles are likely to …

The Selection Of Commercial Astronauts For Suborbital Spaceflight, Brian Kozak, Denver Lopp, John Young, Tim Ropp

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

When SpaceShipOne won the Ansari X-Prize in 2004, it launched the commercial space tourism industry. In 2007 Burt Rutan said, “We think that 100,000 people will fly by 2020” (Rutan, 2007). This will create a need for qualified crews to operate these spacecraft. The purpose of this qualitative, exploratory study was to investigate the possible selection criteria of these crews. Data was collected from telephone and email interviews with four U.S.-suborbital space tourism companies and Purdue University's astronaut alumni network. Grounded Theory and Truth and Reality Testing were used as the theoretical framework for data analysis. The data gathered suggests …

Display Requirements And Alerting Modalities Of A Flight Deck Based Runway Safety Alerting System, Peter M. Moertl Ph.D., Kathleen Mcgarry Ph.D.

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

This paper presents the results of a human in the loop simulation that evaluated the display of runway safety relevant traffic and runway indications and alerts on a cockpit display of traffic information (CDTI). The simulation investigated differences between directive versus nondirective alert types and between an airport map with and without taxiway information. 24 pilots evaluated the CDTI in 18 airport surface scenarios that contained conflict opportunities. Findings indicate that with directive alerts, pilots avoided all conflict opportunities, while with nondirective alerts 90 % of conflicts were avoided. Response to directive alerts was generally faster than to non-directive alerts. …

An Examination Of A Conceptual Framework For Processing And Integrating Information, Asha H. Smith Ph.D., Immanuel Barshi Ph.D.

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

Flight crews rely on displays to assess the state of individual aircraft systems and to remain cognizant of how those systems interact. Degani, et al. (2009) suggest that understanding how humans routinely interpret complex environments should aid in creating displays that help flight crews gain holistic understandings of their vehicles. They propose a six-level hierarchy representing how humans integrate large amounts information. The current experiment sought to understand the costs and benefits of solving classic logic problems when details are presented at key levels of this hierarchy. The results showed that displays representing the highest level of the hierarchy yielded …

Applying The Reliance-Compliance Model To System-Wide Trust Theory In An Aviation Task, Kasha Geels, Stephen Rice, Jeremy Schwark, Hayle Hunt, Joshua Sandry

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

System-wide trust (SWT) strategy can occur when operators encounter multiple aids of differing reliabilities. Keller and Rice (2010) have shown effects of one unreliable aid influencing a perfectly reliable aid; participants had a tendency to treat both aids as one entire unit (SWT) rather than as two separate aids (component-specific trust). One limitation was that the use of only two diagnostic aids may not have been enough to generalize their results. This study seeks to further explore SWT with additional aids. Participants performed a 4-gauge monitoring task augmented by a diagnostic aid that provided recommendations of failures. The aids were …

Application Of A Human Error Taxonomy For The Identification Of Air Traffic Control Errors And Causal Factors, Katherine Berry, Michael Sawyer

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

With the complexity of the National Airspace System, a comprehensive taxonomy is needed to classify incident causal factors within the air traffic control (ATC) industry. These causal factors must not be limited to the individual involved in the incident, but must extend to the role of management and the organization. The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) is a human error taxonomy when integrated into the incident investigation process permits for causal factors to be classified at various system levels. Utilizing HFACS, this study investigates human performance within the ATC industry and classifies ATC incidents cases using HFACS, investigates …

Impact Of Simulator Out-The-Window Visual Display Resolution On Air-To-Ground Skill Performance, Jamie L. Estock, Melinda K. Seibert, Dr. Elliot E. Entin

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

Previous research revealed no difference in air-to-air skill performance between instructor pilots who flew a simulator with a narrow out-the-window visual display field-of-view and instructor pilots who flew a simulator with a wide field-of-view. To evaluate the generalizability of these results to a different fidelity dimension, mission, and pilot type, the current study assessed the impact of out-the-window visual display resolution on air-to-ground skill performance of less experienced pilots. In the current study, 18 F/A-18 Fleet Replacement Squadron pilots flew air-to-ground training missions in two simulators that differed in their visual display resolution. F/A-18 subject matter experts assessed pilot performance …

Complex Data Integration For Training In Technologically-Advanced Aircraft, Michael S. Nolan, Erin E. Bowen, Michael W. Suckow, Morgan E. Hall, Brent D. Bowen

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

Flight data collection systems have been used for many years to help monitor and trend flight parameters to better understand aircraft performance and maintenance. However, this information is rarely used to understand and enhance cognitive/behavioral factors impacting flight and maintenance training. This conceptual paper outlines a strategic research model in the collegiate aviation setting, designed to manage the successful integration of data from technologically-advanced aircraft (TAA) into flight, maintenance, and dispatch training and operations. A critical review of the key issues and approach framework should be discussed in the research community. The model will address issues of organizational change management, …

Integrating Aircrew Resources Variability Into The Design Of Future Cockpit, Barbara Mawhin, Philippe Cabon, Florence Buratto

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

Cockpit design may have major consequences on future pilot’s tasks. Functions needed to ensure flight safety are shared between pilots and aircraft systems. Today, cockpits are designed considering a theoretical minimum level of crew resources availability although it is widely acknowledged that availability of crew resources may vary from time to time because of aircrew internal state. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that future cockpits are designed while taking into consideration this variability. This work aims at developing a methodology enabling designer to systematically integrate crew resources availability in the design process. In order to assess the impact of …

A Large Scale Validation Study On Air Traffic Controller Selection And Training – Design, Challenges And Results, Kristin Conzelmann, Alexander Heintz, Hinnerk Eißfeldt

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

A validation study with 476 air traffic controller trainees of DFS German Air Navigation Services has been set up, encompassing the complete data from the selection of candidates to the completion of their training. The design includes a detailed coding of interview contents, questionnaire data, and results of the reference sample of 13,716 applicants. Data analysis involves the prediction of training success, training performance, and trainees’ personal evaluation of the selection and training process. The success rate of 81 % was satisfactory. Selection measures were adequate to predict pass-fail and performance criteria from institutional training (i.e., theoretical exams). Basic ability …

Delta Air Lines Pilot Selection: 10 Years Of Validation Results, Carl C. Hoffmann, Sally H. Spetz, Arianna K. Hoffmann

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

In the early 1990s Delta Air Lines was faced with a changing pool from which to recruit its pilots, as well as a change in the technology and management of the cockpit. Delta committed to developing a new selection process. After analyzing the results from over a dozen potential tests, three were chosen: CogScreen, the NEO PR-I, and a custom developed Job Knowledge Test. Initial analysis indicated the measures were highly predictive of performance in the cockpit and in training. The cohort of 339 pilots used to validate the selection process has now been followed for 12 years to examine …

Development Of An Advanced Net‐Centric Communication Management Suite: Multi‐Modal Communication, Victor Finomore, Kelly Satterfield, Courtney Castle, Dianne Popik, Ron Dallman, John Stewart

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

Even with advanced collaborative technology, communication remains a critical component to the success of a mission. Command and Control (C2) operators rely heavily on radio and chat communication to efficiently plan, direct, coordinate, and control assets. With the shift towards network‐centric warfare, standard radio communication needs to meet the needs of today’s warfighter. A net‐centric communication management suite called Multi‐Modal Communication (MMC) has been developed to increase the performance and situational awareness of the operator while also alleviating the workload and errors associated with this communication intensive environment. This integrated system captures, displays, records, and archives radio and chat‐based communication …

Human-Centered Design To Support Flexibility And Adaptability In Airport Surface Management, Alicia Borgman Fernandes, Phillip J. Smith

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

Airport surface delays can impact airport surface congestion, operational costs, environmental emissions, and passenger satisfaction. We report on structured interviews and observational studies at two US airports with different approaches to managing surface delays. Each approach requires human judgment to set and adapt control parameters to manage departure flows. We contrast these approaches in terms of: 1) distribution of roles and responsibilities; 2) human judgments required; 3) enforcement of flight operator compliance; and 4) tools for coordination and decision support. Guidance is provided for designing and implementing human-centered surface management programs based on an analysis of these approaches.

Scenario-Based Flight Simulation Training: A Human Factors Analysis Of Its Development And Suggestions For Better Design, Christopher M. Johnson, Douglas A. Wiegmann

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funded a study aimed at ameliorating issues with visual flight rules (VFR) pilots flying into instrument weather conditions (IMC). Scenario-based simulation training (SBST) was developed to examine threat and error management (TEM) skills among private pilots. SBST was modeled after line-oriented flight training (LOFT), and new technologies were developed to improve weather simulation. This paper includes a Human Factors analysis of flight simulation development, and it details weather simulation improvements. Historical weather data was used for accurate recreation of pre-flight briefings, simulated weather parameters, and in-flight weather reports, and the technologies were tested among distinctly …

Factors Influencing Female Aviation Professionals’ Choice Of Career, Gail Zlotky, Wendy S. Beckman

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

Despite much attention, there continues to be a low level of female participation in the aviation industry. In an earlier qualitative study of female aviation students, it was found that having parents who were supportive of their daughter’s career choice was the most influential factor in student career decision making. As a follow up to this earlier study, a Likert-scale type survey was distributed electronically to both active female aviation professionals and to current female aviation students. The survey allowed for participant identification of the factors that were most influential for them both choosing and remaining in an aviation career. …

Weather Information Priorities For Commercial Pilots And Dispatchers, Russell J. Branaghan, Roger W. Schvaneveldt

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

The Next Generation Air Traffic System’s (NextGen) goal is to increase capacity three-fold (JPDO, 2007). Given that approximately 70 percent of system delays can be attributed to weather, planning is focused on reducing weather-related delays by at least fifty percent (Leader, 2007). NextGen plans to integrate information from multiple sources, providing the same information to pilots, controllers, and dispatchers. However, different stakeholders may require different information at different times. This research identifies information needed by dispatchers and commercial pilots for pre-flight and in-flight planning and decision-making.

The Role Of Expertise In Vfr Flight Decisions With Inconsisent Weather Information, Jordan Petry, Landon Thomas, Heewoong Park, Wai-Tat Fu

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

To study the role of expertise in weather-related VFR flight decisions we conducted two experiments in which experts and novices were presented with inconsistent weather information. In the first experiment 51 pilots performed a series of pre-flight planning decision tasks. We found that experts were better at selecting reliable information than novices. In the second experiment, 24 pilots made a VFR flight using the XPlane flight simulator. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of four conditions with a different combination of good and bad flying (rendered in XPlane) and ATIS weather. We found that in poor weather conditions novices flew …

Can Video Games Be Valid Predictors Of Success For The Private Pilot Phase Check?, Laura E. Bourgiognon, Donald A. Petrin, Brian G. Dillman, John P. Young

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

A study was conducted at a Midwestern university to determine whether or not video game performance can be an accurate predictor of success on the private pilot phase check. In this study, there were thirty-three potential participants enrolled in AT 145, the private pilot flight training course. Twenty-three (70%) students agreed to participate. These volunteer participants were asked to complete a video game (Super Mario Galaxy). The final score and time to finish a pre-selected level were recorded. These scores were correlated with the aggregated scores that the participants earned during their private pilot phase checks. Although a survey of …