A Proposed Framework for the Application of Physiological Monitoring in Fast-Jet Aviation

The occurrence of physiological episodes in flight has led to an interest in developing pilot physiological monitoring (PhysMon) systems. There is a lack of consensus among engineering, physiology, and aircrew disciplines in the use-cases of highest importance and the sequence of events required to assess these technologies. This paper proposes structured analytical techniques to consider and assess potential PhysMon systems, using tools from across aerospace professions, to create a framework for considering applications of PhysMon. This approach provides a logical structure to critically assess potential systems, consider how a PhysMon system may be positioned within a system-of-systems architecture, identify the challenges in bringing them to the operational setting, and select those concepts with the highest chance of success. By providing a common understanding, this applied framework is intended to improve future development, testing, application, and use of PhysMon systems. Coffey A, Marston P, Smith TG, Annicelli L, Bilger C, Pollock RD, Hodkinson PD. A proposed framework for the application of physiological monitoring in fast-jet aviation. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2026; 97(3):218-223.