Human Factors research determines and analyzes perception, cognition, and environmental factors that impact the safe and effective performance of jobs and tasks. This theme focuses on the areas of auditory and visual perception, cognition, workload, and skill acquisition.
The Human Factors projects and the respective outcomes are:
AJW-3 Fleet Assessment/Modernization Study: Based on variety of aircraft performance and market evaluations, fleet consolidation and acquisition strategies. Project completed.
AJW-3 Fleet Assessment Phase II: Follow-up tasks identified by the team and FAA through recommendations for Phase I of the project, guidelines of how the recommended fleet will be integrated into operation on a year- by year basis, and consideration of maintenance planning, man-power planning, and business case strategy.
Applied Game Theory to Enhance ATC Training: Prototype of virtual reality for aircraft landing scenarios that require decision analysis techniques and applies game theory for air traffic controller practice in uncertain operating conditions. Project completed.
ATC Visual Search Patterns: Concrete training examples of visual scanning and aircraft control strategies related to conflict detection and resolution in ENROUTE and TRACON. Recommend designs to better provide characterized and classified visual search and control strategies based on expert ATCO’s visual search patterns and aircraft control strategies. Provide multimedia package with examples of scan patterns related to different types of conflict, graphed categories of visual scanning patterns mapped to actual eye movement data and associated control actions, and videos from data showing patterns with narration. Project completed.
Comprehensive Aircraft Fleet Study and System Optimization: Comprehensive strategy, including simulation models, to optimize Flight Program Operations’ fleet composition and location to meet mission needs and requirements of Flight Program Operations customers. Project completed.
Effective Training and Checking Methods for the Emerging Pilot Workforce: Provide scientific and technical data on effective training and checking methods for the current and projected pilot workforce, with emphasis on pilot information management, decision-making, and command judgment.
Employee Footprint: 21st Century Approach Towards Employee Development: Based on corporate strategies for hiring, training, and retaining employees, cost-effective approach to providing training. Project completed.
Feasibility Study of Flight Inspection Aided By UAS-Based Sensing and Calibration: Recommended improvements to measurement accuracy of signal strength on BE-300PL and CL-605 flight inspection aircraft, accomplished through four-dimensional modeling and simulation of antenna reception patterns for Localizer, Glideslope, Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Range (VOR), and Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) antennas. This supports accurate coverage determinations for VOR Minimum Operational Network (VORMON) program and new standalone DME facilities. Project completed.
Part 141 Pilot School Model Feasibility Study: With emphasis on determining feasibility of a 141 pilot school model, recommended model to deliver currency/proficiency and training services to aviation safety participants in FAA Flight Program. Project completed.
Training of Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers in Weather-Related Decision Making: Prototype simulation-based weather scenarios, including hazard displays and probabilistic display to enable controllers to rapidly and accurately assess emerging weather situation to effectively and safely vector aircraft around weather. Project completed.
Universal Design for Leaning and Multi-Modal Training: Mapping of current training techniques to UDL principles using eye tracking and brain wave activity to recommend training methods for air traffic controller trainees. Project completed.