Pilots' Scan-path and Attention Shifts during Tactical Manoeuvres

Understanding the cognitive processes of pilots’ fixation shifts and attention distributions can facilitate training of tactical manoeuvres and hence improve both performance and flight safety. Thirty-five military pilots... [ view full abstract ]

Understanding the cognitive processes of pilots’ fixation shifts and attention distributions can facilitate training of tactical manoeuvres and hence improve both performance and flight safety. Thirty-five military pilots participated in the current study. By analyzing eye movement data, it is possible to identify what the military pilot was looking at during particular moments in the flight. Furthermore, a pilot’s attention is likely to remain one of the critical and limited resources that will need to be confronted in the development of new technology. It is important that the nature of pilots’ attention and fixation distributions is understood in order to assess and manage the implications of new technology in the cockpit.