Military and aviation industries have a strong need for measurable proof that training solutions meet or exceed requirements to deliver effective training, yet there is a lack of valid methods available. The goal of this multi-year research project is to develop methods for assessing the efficacy of training (including live and simulated platforms) by validating measures of cognitive workload that characterize skill acquisition.

What Was Studied

10 evaluation pilots (100-300 flight hours of experience) were selected to perform low, medium and high difficulty flight maneuvers in both a jet flight simulator and live jet flight (Aero Vodochody L-29 jet trainer) using experimental conditions. During flight ECG data (NeXus-4) and eye-tracking data (Dikablis) was collected. Flight performance was analysed for altitude, roll, and vertical speed errors, and cognitive workload was subjectively assessed (10-point Bedford Workload Scale). As a validated tool for evaluating perceptual-cognitive skills, NeuroTracker was selected to measure spare cognitive capacity via extraneous load (Cognitive Load Theory). All pilots first completed home-based NeuroTracker consolidation training (15 Core sessions). NeuroTracker was integrated into the flight testbed. Low, medium and high difficulty flight maneuver tests were performed by all pilots, both without NeuroTracker, and while simultaneously performing NeuroTracker Core sessions.

What Was Found

Compared to performing NeuroTracker alone, live and simulated flight across all maneuvers, caused a drastic decrease in NeuroTracker speed thresholds (average of ~97%). This, perhaps for the first time, objectively demonstrated that jet flight involves very high intrinsic cognitive loads. Live flight resulted in lower NeuroTracker speed thresholds and physiological performance than simulated flight, with greater differences for higher difficulty maneuvering.

Takeaways

This evidence suggests that physiological and cognitive loads are significantly heavier in live flight, supporting the theory that brain dynamics differ in real-world environments compared to those of a laboratory.

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Reference: Thomas Romeas et al. ‘Perceptual-Cognitive & Physiological Assessment of Training Effectiveness’ Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC), 2017.

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