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Related Experiment Videos

Spatial Disorientation Influences on Pilots' Visual Scanning and Flight Performance.

Wietse D Ledegang, Eric L Groen

    Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance
    |September 17, 2018
    PubMed
    Summary

    Spatial disorientation (SD) significantly impacts pilots' flight performance and visual scanning, even when unrecognized. Gaze tracking in SD simulators offers valuable insights for pilot training.

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    Area of Science:

    • Aviation Psychology
    • Human Factors Engineering
    • Aerospace Medicine

    Background:

    • Spatial disorientation (SD) is a critical safety concern in aviation.
    • Effective instrument scanning is a key countermeasure to SD.
    • Limited research exists on the direct relationship between SD and pilots' visual scanning patterns.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the influence of spatial disorientation (SD) on pilots' visual scanning behavior.
    • To assess the impact of SD on objective flight performance metrics.
    • To explore the utility of gaze tracking in understanding SD effects on pilots.

    Main Methods:

    • A ground-based simulator study involving 10 novice military pilots.
    • Pilots manually flew three circuits, with the final circuit containing undisclosed SD events (visual and vestibular).

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  • Recorded and analyzed simulator motion, flight performance, gaze direction, and control inputs; followed by a post-flight questionnaire.

    • Main Results:

    • Three out of five SD events significantly altered flight performance and gaze behavior.
    • False horizon and Coriolis illusion led to unintended roll rates and delayed instrument scanning.
    • Somatogravic illusion affected pitch control inputs, though simulation accuracy was a factor.

    Conclusions:

    • Spatial disorientation demonstrably causes inappropriate pilot control inputs and alters scanning behavior, even when not consciously perceived.
    • Gaze tracking technology, coupled with well-designed SD scenarios, can provide valuable feedback for pilot training.
    • This study offers direct experimental evidence linking SD to measurable changes in pilot performance and visual attention.