The feasibility of collecting in-flight EEG data from helicopter pilots

An assessment of whether valid EEG data could be collected on helicopter pilots in flight was conducted. Each subject provided eyes-open/eyes-closed EEG in the laboratory and in a helicopter. During flights, EEG's were monitored on the ground in real-time via radio telemetry. Analyses were conducted on the data recorded from Fz, Cz, Pz, P3, P4, O1, and O2 from eight subjects. Delta activity at one recording site (Fz) was higher in the aircraft than in the laboratory probably because of increased eye movements. Both theta and alpha activity at several sites also were increased in the aircraft, and alpha activity at all electrodes showed the expected augmentation from eyes-opened to eyes-closed; however, there were no interactions indicative of problems detecting normal alpha changes due to eye closure in the aircraft. Beta activity recorded from Cz and O1 was elevated during flight testing, but it was concluded that at least the O1 effect was due to muscle artifact in the more active environment. While there were more recording artifacts in the helicopter than in the laboratory, the overall results show it is possible to telemeter EEG from helicopter pilots in flight. Follow-on studies are needed to assess whether recordings can be obtained while pilots are performing flight-related tasks.