Pilot Flight Simulator Performance Under Distraction and Vibrotactile Situation Awareness

Bruce Mortimer; Chris Dailey; Jon French; Barbara Chaparro; Daniel Graff; Shelby Loftis; Makaila Olson; Angus Rupert

doi:10.4050/F-0080-2024-1343

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Pilot Flight Simulator Performance Under Distraction and Vibrotactile Situation Awareness

Bruce Mortimer, Chris Dailey, Engineering Acoustics Inc.

Jon French, Barbara Chaparro, Daniel Graff, Shelby Loftis, Makaila Olson, Embry-Riddle Aeronautics University

Angus Rupert, USAARL

May 7, 2024

https://doi.org/10.4050/F-0080-2024-1343

Abstract:
Maintenance of spatial orientation (SO) is achieved primarily through visual information where the horizon and celestial reference cues or flight instruments are used by pilots to infer aircraft orientation. However, cross checking the instruments in degraded visual environments can be complicated by factors such as workload, distraction, and situations where the vestibular and proprioceptive systems may provide false and competing orientation information. We describe experiments measuring pilot performance using a flight simulator under challenging conditions where the sensory information was controlled. Reducing available visual instruments increased the task difficulty. A wearable vibrotactile array could provide concurrent, additional orientation information. Increasing the flying task segment difficulty increased the perceived workload and also corresponded to an increase in accidents. Adding tactile orientation information reduced the accident rate.