Examining the Perception and Effectiveness of a System Awareness Briefing During Cruise Flight

Main Article Content

Scott R. Winter
Mattie N. Milner
Emily C. Anania
Stephen Rice
Nathan W. Walters
Diego Garcia
Bradley S. Baugh

Abstract

Automation has increased the safety of air transportation by assisting pilots during periods of high workload and during critical phases of flight. However, an unintended consequence of automation proliferation has been the reduction in attention resulting from its use. Prior research has shown that during periods of high automation and low workload, pilots’ minds begin to wander and occupy themselves with thoughts other than the current task at hand. This research involved conducting four separate studies addressing the following research questions: 1) Would the use of a system awareness briefing result in the general public being more willing to fly on commercial airlines? 2) Do student pilots support the use of a system awareness briefing? and 3) Does a system awareness briefing actually improve pilot awareness of automation and aircraft parameters during cruise flight? The results from Studies 1 and 2 indicated participants preferred flying with a pilot who was using the system awareness briefing compared to a pilot not using the briefing. The findings from Study 3 did not reveal any significant differences between pilots who used the system awareness briefing versus those that did not. In Study 4, pilots who used the system awareness briefing were more accurate in reporting current heading, fuel flow, and electrical volts, compared to pilots who did not use the briefing. They also reported that they felt more situational awareness compared to the control group.

Keywords: system awareness briefing; experimental research; automation; training

Article Details

Section
Peer-Reviewed Articles
Author Biographies

Scott R. Winter, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Dr. Scott R. Winter is an assistant professor in the School of Graduate Studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He received his Ph.D. from Purdue University in 2013.

Mattie N. Milner, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Ms. Mattie N. Milner is a graduate student in the Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Emily C. Anania, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Ms. Emily C. Anania is a graduate student in the Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Stephen Rice, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Dr. Stephen Rice is an associate professor in the Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 2006.

Nathan W. Walters, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Mr. Nathan W. Walters is a graduate student in the Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Diego Garcia, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Dr. Diego Garcia, M.D. is a graduate student in the Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Bradley S. Baugh, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Mr. Bradley S. Baugh is a graduate student in the School of Graduate Studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

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