Inflight workload assessment: comparison of subjective and physiological measurements.
BACKGROUND
Assessment of pilot workload during flight is an important aviation safety consideration. The aim of this study was to assess inflight pilot workload using both physiological and multidimensional subjective-ratings measurements (heart rate and NASA Task Load Index, respectively), comparing relative sensitivity during the four phases of flight: take-off, cruise, approach, and landing.


METHODS
Ten male pilots volunteered to participate in the trials, which took place in a Boeing 747-400 flight simulator. Electrocardiography was performed throughout the test using the portable Cardiovis ECG system. Mean heart rate (HR) and incremental heart rate (delta HR) were considered indices of physiological workload.


RESULTS
Peak HR was observed during take-off (83.2 bpm) and landing (88.6 bpm); moreover, delta HR was also greatest (14.2 bpm and 18.8 bpm). The Task Load Index (TLX) scale revealed that mental and performance demands were essential components of workload during flight. In addition, temporal demand was an important component of workload during take-off and physical demand was significant during cruise. Analysis of correlation revealed that the delta HR is significantly related to TLX scores (r = 0.81, n = 40).


CONCLUSIONS
Management of the individual sources of stress, which tend to become predominant during different flight phases, should be emphasized in periodic recurrent training. For example, a pilot must be trained to cope with the increased temporal stresses associated with take-off. In addition, the recommendations will be concerned with maintaining vigilance, task allocation between pilots, and inflight rest during long-haul cruise.
Lee
Yung-Hui
YH
Department of Industrial Management, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan.
Liu
Bor-Shong
BS
D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000401:Aircraft; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D016526:Workload