PROJECT TITLE: Training of Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers in Weather-Related Decision Making Using Probabilistic Hazard Information Displays
Collaborators:
- PI: Dr. Chen Ling, Associate Professor of Systems Engineering in the Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Akron
- PI: Dr. Doug Weigmann, Associate Professor, Dept. of Industrial Systems & Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison
- PI: Dr. Michael Wiggins, Department Chair of Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Co-PI: Dr. Chris Johnson, Director of Flight Simulation Research and an Associate Lecturer, University of Wisconsin – Madison
- Co-PI: Dr. Robert Thomas, Assistant Professor of Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Co-PI: Dr. Shengyong Wang, Assistant Professor of Systems Engineering in the Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Akron
- Students: David Toon (ERAU), Ali Alshaqah (UA), Harry Harris (UA), Emma Pierson (UA), Kazi Rahman (UA)
- Industry Partner: Pilot Training System
- FAA Sponsor: Jason Demagalski, Technical Training (AJI-2)
- FAA Technical Monitor: Katrin Helbing
Abstract:
Severe weather is the cause for more than 70% of aviation delays. It is important to train pilots and air traffic controllers to make sound decisions when encountering severe weather. Human Factors research illustrates that the simulation of weather scenarios in flight and ATM environments exposes and has the potential to fill gaps in weather-related training to improve decision-making among controllers and pilots. This research will advance weather-simulation capabilities and behavioral-modeling techniques to improve weather-related flight skills among pilots and controllers.
It is crucial to the safety and efficiency of National Airspace System (NAS) that when pilots and air traffic controllers encounter severe weather (e.g. lightning, icing, convective weather), they are fully trained to make decisions using probabilistic hazard information. We propose to study how pilots and air traffic controllers integrate probabilistic hazard information for severe weather to make important aviation decisions. Different types of weather scenarios as well as decision scenarios will be simulated in the flight simulator or air traffic control simulator. We will have pilots or air traffic controllers use the graphical displays showing probabilistic hazard information in a simulated flight scenario to make aviation decisions.
Expected Project Outcomes:
- Determine the extent to which gaps in weather-related training exist, and understand if the problem is institutional, regional, national and/or international.
- Determine if scenario-based simulation (integrated and non-integrated) with advanced weather modeling can bridge gaps in weather-related training.
- Study pilots and air traffic controller decision making when encountering severe weather
situations.
VALUE OF RESEARCH:
The objective of this study is to discover if scenario-based training can enhance decision-making capabilities of air traffic controllers and pilots to enhance safety while reducing weather delays. The results can be used to evaluate new guidelines and procedures for disseminating weather to pilots in ways to help reduce weather-related accidents.
This research will provide guidance on:
- Increasing safety by providing realistic weather dissemination training to controllers
- Improving the quality of instruction
- Improving learner engagement
- Increasing trainee knowledge retention
- Incorporating evolving technologies into the training environment
QUAD CHART AND TECHNICAL POSTERS:
HF006 2020 Project Presentation
HF006 2019 Project Presentation
HF006-7-8 2018 Technical Poster
PUBLICATIONS:
ClimaDrive is a peer-reviewed, advanced weather engine featuring hyper-realistic weather models. The team designed the engine to improve decision-making skills of pilots and fill a gap in training. More information may be found here.