Human Factors Psychology Commons^™

The Effects Of Display Type, Weather Type, And Pilot Experience On Pilot Interpretation Of Weather Products, Jayde M. King, Beth Blickensderfer, Thomas A. Guinn, John L. Kleber, Thomas A. Guinn

Publications

The majority of general aviation (GA) accidents involving adverse weather result in fatalities. Considering the high weather-related fatality rate among GA flight operations, it is imperative to ensure that GA pilots of all experience levels can incorporate available weather information into their flight planning. In the past decade, weather product development has incorporated increasing levels of automation, which has led to the generation of high-resolution, model-based aviation displays such as graphical turbulence guidance and current icing potential, which rival the resolution of radar and satellite imagery. This is in stark contrast to the traditional polygonal-based displays of aviation weather hazards …

Understanding Fatigue Within A Collegiate Aviation Program, Flavio Mendonca, Julius Keller, Erik Levin, Aaron Teo

Publications

Objective: The purpose of this study was fivefold: to investigate the symptoms that would prompt collegiate aviation pilots perceive they are fatigued; to investigate the time of the day they are most fatigued; to investigate their academic and personal schedules; to investigate the methods collegiate aviation pilots utilize to ensure they are fit to fly; and to investigate whether they have received any academic and/or flight fatigue identification and management training.

Background: Fatigue is a pervasive safety hazard in aviation affecting several aspects of flight crew members’ ability to perform their job. Fatigue in aviation and its consequences has been …

Aviation Human-In-The-Loop Simulation: Best Practices For Subjective Performance Measurement, John Kleber, Beth Blickensderfer

Aviation Weather Training Research

Subjective performance measurements are a useful tool for researchers and instructors to evaluate tasks that are difficult to quantify with objective data pulled from a simulator or the physiological data of pilots. Subjective performance measurements are non-intrusive measures typically conducted by human raters. Some recommendations for utilizing subjective measures include reducing the workload of the human raters, concealing the aim of the experiment from participants, utilizing multiple raters to evaluate each participant, providing raters with proper training, developing error-resistant rater forms and, including both subjective and objective measures when possible.

Emotional Intelligence And Safety Citizenship Among Army Aviators, Zachary T. Dugger, Bernadette Mccrory

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of the relationship between trait emotional intelligence and safety citizenship among United States Army aviators. The study includes analysis of survey responses from 29 individual aviators. Regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between safety citizenship, emotional intelligence, and 15 emotional intelligence facets. Results indicate a significant association (F(1,28) = 15.45; p = 0.001) between safety citizenship and emotional intelligence, and between safety citizenship and 3 emotional intelligence facets: Adaptability (F(1,25) = 23.91; p < 0.001), Self Esteem (F(1,25) = 10.75; p = 0.003), and Optimism (F(1,25) = 8.71; p = …

Integrating The First Person View And The Third Person View Using A Connected Vr-Mr System For Pilot Training, Chang-Geun Oh, Kwanghee Lee, Myunghoon Oh

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Virtual reality (VR)-based flight simulator provides pilots the enhanced reality from the first-person view. Mixed reality (MR) technology generates effective 3D graphics. The users who wear the MR headset can walk around the 3D graphics to see all its 360 degrees of vertical and horizontal aspects maintaining the consciousness of real space. A VR flight simulator and an MR application were connected to create the capability of both first-person view and third-person view for a comprehensive pilot training system. This system provided users the capability to monitor the aircraft progress along the planned path from the third-person view as well …

Divergent Attitudes Regarding The Benefits Of Face Masks In Aviation Colleges And Universities, Andrew R. Dattel, Peiheng Gao, Hanzi Xie, Maxine E. Lubner

Publications

Opinions and practices regarding face masks (FM) to attenuate COVID-19’s spread remains polarized across the United States. We examined whether these attitudes extend to the aviation collegiate community. A 14-question survey was sent to 90 aviation colleges and universities throughout the country. Responses were solicited from students, faculty, and staff. Of the 598 respondents, 77% were students, 13% were faculty, and 10% were staff. Pilots comprised 66% of the respondents. A Principal Component Analysis reduced the questions to two scales: Benefits and Inconvenience. Females, non-pilots, and older respondents reported greater benefits to wearing a FMand fewer inconveniences. A multiple regression …

Validation Of The Guess-18: A Short Version Of The Game User Experience Satisfaction Scale (Guess), Joseph R. Keebler, William J. Shelstad, Dustin C. Smith, Barbara S. Chaparro, Mikki H. Phan

Publications

The Game User Experience Satisfaction Scale (GUESS) is a 55-item tool assessing nine constructs describing video game satisfaction. While the development of the GUESS followed best practices and resulted in a versatile, comprehensive tool for assessing video game user experience, responding to 55 items can be cumbersome in situations where repeated assessments are necessary. The aim of this research was to develop a shorter version of the scale for use in iterative game design, testing, and research. Two studies were conducted: the first one to create a configural model of the GUESS that was then truncated to an 18-item short …

From Classroom To Industry: Human Factors In Aviation Maintenance Decision-Making, Bettina Mrusek, Stephanie Douglas

Publications

The presence of human factors in aviation remains a critical area of research given the safety implications of human error. Understanding what specific factors contribute to human error allows managers and operators to take steps to mitigate these hazards. Several methods have been tested in the cockpit and cabin crew environments, but less attention has been given to the aviation maintenance sector, despite the prevalence of accidents resulting from human error. With the introduction of AC-172A, the FAA validated the need for additional research and training on the role of human factors in aviation maintenance errors. However, a key component …

The Impact Of Motivation On Continued Vfr Into Imc: Another Perspective To An On-Going Problem, Sabrina Woods, Scott R. Winter, Stephen Rice, Steven Hampton, Paul Craig

Publications

Continued flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions remains the predominant cause for fatal accidents by percentage for general aviation aircraft operations. There are gaps in the research in determining how motivation might influence the decision-making process. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine how motivation and meteorological conditions might affect a pilot’s willingness to persist in flight into meteorological conditions. Four hundred and fifty-four general aviation pilots participated in a mixed factorial experiment to assess their willingness to persist in varying weather conditions. Participants were randomly assigned into one of three motivation groups (intrinsic, extrinsic, …

Face Mask Effects Of Co2, Heart Rate, Respiration Rate, And Oxygen Saturation On Instructor Pilots, Andrew R. Dattel, Nicola M. O'Toole, Guillermina Lopez, Kenneth P. Byrnes

Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic has required people to take new measures to mitigate the spread of the communicable virus. Guidelines from health organizations, government offices, and universities have been disseminated. Adherence to these guidelines cannot be more critical for flight training. This study explored the effects face masks had on CO2, heart rate, respiration rate, and oxygen saturation while wearing a face mask at an oxygen level simulated to 5,000 feet. Thirty-two instructor pilots (IP) volunteered to participate in the study. IPs spent 90 minutes in a normobaric chamber while wearing a cloth face mask or a paper face mask. Participants …

How Does Robotic Surgery Influence Communication, Leadership, And Team Outcomes? A Multimethod Examination., Jordan E. Rogers

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The practice of delivering surgical care has evolved to be less invasive to the patients undergoing surgery. Minimally-invasive surgery can be practiced through traditional laparoscopic methods as well as with robotic technology that displaces the surgeon from the operating table. Robotic surgery has been cited to be safer and more effective than traditional laparoscopic surgery; however, little research has endeavored to investigate the role of surgical modality upon aspects of teamwork. This dissertation contributes to the human factors and teamwork literature by evaluating how surgical modality may influence communication, shared leadership, and team outcomes. Multiple methods were employed to study …

An Analysis Of Self-Reported Sleepiness And Fatigue Measures From Collegiate Aviation Pilots, Flavio A. C. Mendonca, Julius Keller, Thomas Laub, Sarah Wolfe

Publications

Fatigue can be deleterious to pilot performance. The National Transportation Safety Board has called on the aviation community to reduce fatigue related accidents. Currently, there are few studies and guidance specific to collegiate aviation pilots. The current study is part of a larger effort by the authors to gain a clearer understanding of fatigue within the collegiate aviation environment. Collegiate aviation pilots are a unique group with different schedules, lifestyles, and demands when compared to airline, military, and on-demand pilots. The purpose of this study was to examine self-reported fatigue and sleepiness measures. Research instruments included the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale …

Know Your User: Building A Predictive Model Of Consumer Preference For Driverless Cars, Mattie Nicole Milner

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

INTRODUCTION: This dissertation identifies factors significantly predicting participants' preference for riding in an autonomous vehicle rather than flying on a commercial aircraft. A plethora of research has investigated these two transportation industries independently; however, scarcely any research has considered the impact these two industries will have on each other. Travelers’ preference for riding in an autonomous vehicle rather than a commercial aircraft was investigated through four different scenarios.

METHOD: A regression equation was created to predict participants’ preferred travel method and validated through a two-stage process. Stage 1 involved the creation of the regression equation, and a total of 1,008 …

Application Of A Skill Taxonomy In Aviation, Marisa D. Aguiar M.S., Haydee M. Cuevas Ph.D., Christopher Piccone M.S.

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

The objective of this project was to develop a preliminary taxonomy for defining the construct ‘skill,’ drawing from the various definitions described in the extant literature. Three separate cognitive task analyses (CTA) were conducted utilizing interviews and observations with subject matter experts within the context of (1) a virtual reality part task trainer for airborne refueling, (2) skills required by pilots in commercial aviation, and (3) aviation maintenance skills for unmanned aircraft systems. The findings from the CTAs were applied to refine the preliminary taxonomy.

Redefining Resiliency Using Principles Of Social Cognitive Theories To Address The Gap In Training And Assessing Resiliency For Air Carrier Operations, Jessica K. Cruit Ph.D., Patricia Bockelman Ph.D., Peter Hancock D.Sc, Ph.D.

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

Air carrier flight operations continue to be highly proceduralized events, which have contributed to the overall safety and performance efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS). However, existing and envisionable procedures do not, and may never completely cover all operational situations. At times, there is not a procedure for a situation or adequate time to complete a known procedure. More specifically, the current use of procedures does not adequately address unexpected events. In the instances when procedures are non-existent, the flight crew needs to have the ability to demonstrate resilience or to adapt and respond appropriately to the changing environment …

Dynamic And Adaptive Training For Enhanced Aviation Knowledge Transfer And Retention, Jason P. Kring Ph.D., Michael W. Sawyer, Meredith Carroll, Katherine A. Berry

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

The world of aviation is rapidly evolving through increased automation on the flight deck, new air traffic control tools and procedures, and expanded applications of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). These enhancements may increase training requirements on operational personnel and potentially introduce the opportunity for the degradation of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are not routinely applied. The resources required for simulator-based training results in using computer-based training (CBT) for many infrequently used KSAs. Field studies and academic literature consistently show that users find this training boring, easily forgettable, and are perceived as “check the box” training. Furthermore, most CBT …

Using Escape Rooms For Conducting Team Research: Understanding Development, Considerations, And Challenges, Tara N. Cohen, Andrew C. Griggs, Joseph R. Keebler, Elizabeth H. Lazzara, Shawn Doherty, Falisha F. Kanji, Bruce L. Gewertz

Publications

Background. Modern organizations are increasingly reliant on teams, and many organizations are subsequently concerned with the development of interventions that can improve the performance of teams. Escape rooms are beginning to receive attention as a potential avenue to facilitate team-based research. Escape rooms are team-based recreational activities that require a team of individuals to work together and think critically in order to solve a series of puzzles or challenges to escape a room.

Purpose. This article provides considerations for researchers and organizations alike concerning the development of an escape room for team-based research, its methodological applications, and challenges associated …

Pilot Selection Research Gaps: What We Do And Don't Know About "The Right Stuff", Tomas C. Scott, Meredith Carroll Ph.D.

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

Ever since the commencement of high-powered flight, pilot selection has been a crucial process within military, general, and commercial aviation. Through effective pilot selection, individuals with the necessary aptitudes, or "the right stuff" to get through a training program and successfully perform the job, can be chosen. There is a range of different aptitudes that have been shown through research to correlate with effective pilot performance. However, there is currently not a comprehensive understanding of the aptitudes, including both cognitive abilities and psychological attributes, necessary not only for effective pilot performance but also for a successful career as an aviator. …

Examining Pilot Response To Cybersecurity Events On The Flight Deck, Meredith Carroll Ph.D., Summer Rebensky, Paige Sanchez

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

Cybersecurity is a growing concern in the aviation industry. In general, cybersecurity research has typically focused on providing technical solutions such as hardening networks and improving computer systems, with little focus on the human operator. Human operators, such as pilots, are often the last line of defense; however, it is currently unclear whether pilots can recognize cybersecurity vulnerabilities, detect when a system is being compromised, and respond appropriately to a cybersecurity event. A review of literature revealed three key stages in cybersecurity response decision process (susceptibility, detection, and response) that are influenced by eight separate factors (perceived susceptibility, perceived safeguard …

Integrating The 1st Person View And The 3rd Person View Using A Connected Vr-Mr System For Pilot Training, Chang-Geun Oh Ph.D., Myunghoon Oh Ph.D.

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

Many virtual reality (VR)-based flight simulation programs provide pilots the enhanced reality from the 1^st person-view to make themselves immersed in the cockpit. Using the VR simulations, pilots can take flight training in many challenging situations that are hard to create in real environments due to its natural entropy and safety concerns such as severe crosswind or engine fire. Mixed reality (MR) technology provides three-dimensional graphics so that users can effectively see all 360 degree-vertical and horizontal aspects of an object while they freely move around to see the graphics maintaining the consciousness of real space. Flight instructors may …

Examination Of The Impact Of Various Training Approaches On Different Uas Operator Populations, Summer Rebensky M.S., Meredith Carroll Ph.D., Maria Chaparro M.S.

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

In recent years, the UAS industry has extended beyond military and recreational use and is now positioned to become a major portion of the aviation industry. As we move toward UAS integration into the national airspace system, UAS operators need effective training to ensure safe operation. Training UAS operators in an engaging way is important to ensure the best performance and transfer of training. Training methods that elicit high levels of learner engagement have been shown to improve knowledge gains, performance, and therefore such training techniques provide an opportunity for improving UAS training effectiveness and transfer. The growth of the …

Evaluating Scenarios That Can Startle And Surprise Pilots, Rahim D. Agha, Andrew R. Dattel Ph.D., Jennifer E. Thropp Ph.D.

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

Startle and surprise in the cockpit have contributed to multiple aviation accidents. The aviation safety boards of France, the United States, and Holland have concluded that startle and surprise pose a serious threat to pilots. This study identified the effects startle and surprise had on multi-engine rated pilots. Surprise is defined here as something unexpected (e.g., engine failure). Startle is the associated exaggerated effect of an unexpected condition (e.g., loud bang). At this point, data has been collected on 15 pilots. Pilots were tested in an aviation training device configured to a Cessna 172 and a Beechcraft Baron 58. Each …

Recommended Training Practices To Prepare Pilots To Cope With Information Conflicts, Meredith Carroll Ph.D., Paige Sanchez, Donna Wilt

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

As the next generation of flight deck information systems are being utilized on the flight deck, pilots now have greater amounts of information at their fingertips. Information that was typically available only from certified information sources in aircraft panels, is now being provided by a range of sources, both within the panel and on Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs). Although redundant sources of information provide pilots a means by which to crosscheck and hone in on ground truth, they also introduce the potential for pilots encountering conflicting information. As conflicting information can have negative effects on decision making, there is a …

Implementation Of Team-Based Learning In Aviation Education, Austin T. Walden Ph.D.

National Training Aircraft Symposium (NTAS)

Recent research in the field of Aviation Education and Educational Psychology has shown that students are in need of greater interaction and social skills. Additionally, although Part 141 flight training programs and ground school classes offer many opportunities for collaboration and for dynamic teamwork, often those opportunities are missed as flight training is still largely a "one-on-one" effort between the student and the certificated flight instructor.

Within the last decade, Team-Based Learning has come to prominence in a variety of disciplines across the academic landscape. Team Based-learning incorporates both individual test taking, and group based test taking into one academic …

Pilot Acceptance Of Personal, Wearable Fatigue Monitoring Technology: An Application Of The Extended Technology Acceptance Model, Rachelle Lynne Strong

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The research problem of pilot fatigue has been referenced as a causal factor for aircraft accidents in many United States National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) accident reports; however, the United States Code of Federal Regulations 14 CFR Part 117, Flight and Duty Limitations and Rest Requirements for Flight Crew Members, does not provide a tangible means of measuring fatigue for aircraft crew members. This problem is relevant to the airline industry and the travelling public because pilot fatigue is preventable as a causal factor in aviation accidents, and pilots need an accurate way to measure it. Adoption of a …

Fixation Patterns Of Driving Scenes As A Function Of Task Load And Task Goal, Anastasia N. Diamond

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Distracted driving has been a heavily researched area, and the negative impacts it has on driving performance is well known. Eye movement patterns of distracted drivers have also been studied, though insight into what the driver specifically looks at is not as well known. Researchers have studied eye movement metrics like average fixation durations, eyes-off-road glance times, time to first fixation, among other eye movement variables, over an entire drive, but not as much attention has been given to what the driver is looking at in a specific moment in time. The current study uses the Tobii Pro X2-60 eye …

Human Factors & Going Green: Study Abroad On Sustainability And Transportation, Barbara Chaparro, Alex Chaparro, Christina Frederick

Sustainability Conference

The Northern European countries have been leaders in sustainability efforts, and support of alternative modes of transportation, focusing on implementation, design and strategies that make these efforts easier to adopt by the broader community. Human Factors (HF) is a discipline that studies human behavior and capabilities with the purpose of applying to the design of products, equipment and systems to maximize safety, effectiveness, and user satisfaction. Three senior faculty in the ERAU human factors department are sponsoring a summer study abroad merging sustainability and human factors. The focus of this study abroad program is on understanding Human Factors as it …

Fatigue Identification And Management In Flight Training Among Collegiate Aviation Pilots, Flavio Mendonca Ph.D., Julius Keller Ph.D., Michael Robertson Ph.D., Matt Romero

Publications

Objective: The purpose of this study was fivefold: to investigate the symptoms that would prompt collegiate aviation pilots perceive they are fatigued; to investigate the time of the day they are most fatigued; to investigate their academic and personal schedules; to investigate the methods collegiate aviation pilots utilize to ensure they are fit to fly; and to investigate whether they have received any academic and/or flight fatigue identification and management training.

Background: Fatigue is a pervasive safety hazard in aviation affecting several aspects of flight crew members’ ability to perform their job. Fatigue in aviation and its consequences has been …

Deindividuation In Anonymous Social Media: Does Anonymous Social Media Lead To An Increase In Non-Normative Behavior?, Shayn S. Davidson, Amy Bradshaw Hoppock, Rebecca A. Rohmeyer, Joseph Keebler, Christina M. Frederick

Publications

This research presents several aspects of anonymous social media postings using an anonymous social media application (i.e., Yik Yak) that is GPS-linked to college campuses. Anonymous social media been widely criticized for postings containing threats/harassment, vulgarity and suicidal intentions. However, little research has empirically examined the content of anonymous social media postings, and whether they contain a large quantity of negative social content. To best understand this phenomenon an analysis of the content of anonymous social media posts was conducted in accordance with Deindividuation Theory (Reicher, Spears, & Postmes, 1995). Deindividuation Theory predicts group behavior is congruent with group norms. …

Implementing The Repairer Human Factors Safety Reporting System Through Mrm (Mxhf) To Meet Sms Compliance In Aviation Maintenance, Mark D. Miller, Bettina Mrusek

Publications

Reiterating the importance of having a human factor related safety reporting system for aviation maintenance to reduce human error and utilizing it to gain SMS compliance, the REPAIRER method of identifying and reporting human factors hazards in aviation maintenance is reintroduced. How and why the REPAIRER method system is of such importance in the implementation of aviation maintenance safety programs can be linked to the success and evolution of maintenance resource management and human factors programs which have been effective in reducing human error in aviation maintenance. These programs are rooted in effective communication methods, as well as the identification …