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Measuring Pilot Physiology During In-Flight Training and Implications for Real-Time Monitoring
Introduction:
Real-time monitoring of pilots through physiological responses may provide a means of identifying onset of degraded states. This could potentially be used to introduce methods of preventing negative impacts to performance. However, few studies to date have examined whether quantitative physiological data can successfully be recorded in actual flight, with even fewer during extreme maneuvering.
Methods:
An observational study was completed where physiological data was collected from three Army aviators while they completed an upset prevention and recovery training. The training was through a private company not affiliated with the Department of Defense. Subjects completed multiple flights within a small, acrobatic fixed-wing aircraft. Physiological data [electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography] were recorded continuously in flight.
Results:
The physiological data were evaluated for signal loss and signal quality. The electrocardiography signals were determined as excellent quality based on the metrics proposed previously, with minimal signal loss. Similarly, the EEG recordings had near zero loss of data, except for one of the participant's flights. The EEG quality was determined to be acceptable.
Discussion:
This study demonstrates an important step in real-time monitoring. It was demonstrated that qualitative physiological data can successfully be recorded in flight during extreme maneuvering. Further research is needed to determine the utility of such data in relation to pilot state and performance. Demonstration that this type of data can be successfully collected in flight while pilots undergo extreme maneuvers provides promise for using these types of measures across a variety of flight scenarios where a pilot's cognitive states may become degraded. Yue X, Andres K, Duffy MJ, Rodriguez R, Aura CJ, Feltman KA. Measuring pilot physiology during in-flight training and implications for real-time monitoring. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2025; 96(5):447-452.
