Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Eye Tracking During A Complex Aviation Task For Insights Into Information Processing
Published on: April 4, 2025
Perceived vs. measured effects of advanced cockpit systems on pilot workload and error: are pilots' beliefs
1National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ames Research Center, Mail Stop 262-4, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA. casner@gmail.com
Abstract:
Four types of advanced cockpit systems were tested in an in-flight experiment for their effect on pilot workload and error. Twelve experienced pilots flew conventional cockpit and advanced cockpit versions of the same make and model airplane. In both airplanes, the experimenter dictated selected combinations of cockpit systems for each pilot to use while soliciting subjective workload measures and recording any errors that pilots made. The results indicate that the use of a GPS navigation computer helped reduce workload and errors during some phases of flight but raised them in others. Autopilots helped reduce some aspects of workload in the advanced cockpit airplane but did not appear to reduce workload in the conventional cockpit. Electronic flight and navigation instruments appeared to have no effect on workload or error. Despite this modest showing for advanced cockpit systems, pilots stated an overwhelming preference for using them during all phases of flight.
Related Concept Videos
Unrealistic Optimism Bias
Halo Effect
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Stereotype Content Model
Random and Systematic Errors
Factors Affecting Perception
An illustrative example of a perceptual set is the scenario where an airline pilot told...

