Measuring Pilot Mental Workload During Flights Without PAPI Lights Using a Wearable Device

Measuring pilot mental workload during flights without Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) lights is crucial for enhancing flight safety. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the absence of PAPI lights on pilot mental workload during approach and landing. Sixteen cadet pilots with real flight experience participated in simulated flight scenarios with and without PAPI lights, using a Polar Verity Sense to monitor cardiac activity. The statistical analysis results indicated that the absence of PAPI lights significantly increased pilot mental workload. Instructor ratings confirmed that the absence of PAPI lights adversely affected the accuracy of the descent trajectory, leading to greater deviations. Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis revealed that specific features-SDNN, CVNNI, STD_HR, MIN_HR, and SD2-were particularly sensitive to changes in pilot mental workload. Increased mental workload was associated with a significant increase in MIN_HR and a significant decrease in the other four HRV features. Correlation analysis further identified TOTAL_POWER and RATIO_SD2_SD1 as effective indicators of pilot mental workload. These findings underscore the impact of visual guidance cues on pilot mental workload and demonstrate the value of HRV-based monitoring for assessing pilot mental workload in challenging flight scenarios.