Monitoring pilot trainees' cognitive control under a simulator-based training process with EEG microstate analysis.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Aviation Psychology
• Human Factors Engineering

Background:

• Pilot training requires high levels of cognitive control for aircraft management and critical task response.
• Current cognitive control assessments in pilots are often subjective.
• Understanding cognitive control dynamics is crucial for effective pilot training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate changes in cognitive control during pilot training using objective EEG measures.
• To assess the suitability of EEG microstate analysis for monitoring cognitive states in flight simulators.
• To compare cognitive control responses across different flight tasks and training stages.

Main Methods:

• Utilized electroencephalography (EEG) microstate analysis and spectral power features.
• Monitored cognitive control during basic flight maneuvers on a flight simulator.
• Compared cognitive control across two task types and different training stages.

Main Results:

• EEG data provided an objective measure of cognitive control, complementing subjective assessments.
• EEG microstate analysis effectively captured rapid cognitive state changes during flight maneuvers.
• Cognitive control varied significantly with different flight tasks and training stages.

Conclusions:

• Pilot trainees exhibit dynamic changes in cognitive control throughout training.
• EEG microstate analysis offers a powerful tool for objectively monitoring pilot cognitive control.
• This research enhances understanding of cognitive load and performance in aviation training.