Peysakhovich et al.’s (2018) article, The Neuroergonomics of aircraft cockpits, outlines the four stages of eye-tracking integration to enhance flight safety. Among the safest transportation modes today include commercial aviation, with reduced accidents per departure. However, inadequate cross-checking monitoring provokes a destabilized approach and subsequent drastic speed diminution, resulting in aircraft-related accidents.
Peysakhovich et al. (2018) stated that the reduced accident rate is linked to pilot training improvements, the technological progress of aeronautical systems, and control procedures. Although the introduction of automation helps counter accidents associated with human error, it generates complacency. The authors stated that reliance on automation could potentially result in the crews’ failure to monitor flight instruments efficiently and effectively. Active and adequate visual monitoring of cockpit flight parameters is pivotal to flight safety.
Pilot–aircraft interaction can be improved by using eye-tracking technology. Peysakhovich et al. (2018) outlined four stages of integrating eye-tracking technology. In the first stage, eye-tracking data is used for flight performance analysis, including a debrief of pilots’ behavior and monitoring their skills. Airline companies are widely integrating and adopting the first stage by incorporating relatively inexpensive or remote eye trackers in flight simulations.
The author identified the second stage as a record of flight and eye data to check the consistency of the previous stage. If the data is inconsistent, then either a flight dec or an aircraft system is adopted in the third and fourth stages, respectively. Thus, eye-tracking is instrumental in facilitating flight skills analysis, pilot training, and operational settings. Nonetheless, the author’s analysis of the inadequacy of voice recording and flight parameters in accurately reconstructing the course of events is sufficient. The article provides insight for practitioners in the aviation domain on the importance of eye-tracking technology in facilitating pilot training and enhancing flight safety.
References
Chialastri, A. (2012). Automation in aviation. INTECH Open Access Publisher. Web.
Peysakhovich, V., Lefrançois, O., Dehais, F., & Causse, M. (2018). The neuroergonomics of aircraft cockpits: The four stages of eye-tracking integration to enhance flight safety. Safety, 4(1), 8. Web.