Situation Awareness Training for General Aviation Pilots using Eye Tracking

Numerous studies in high-risk work settings reveal the great amount of human related causes in accident and incidents occurrences (e.g., Flin, 2008; Helmreich, 2000; Reason, 1990). Moreover, Endsley (1999) points out that about 88% of all accident causes can be traced back to situation awareness (L1 perception [76.3%], L2 comprehension [20.3%], and L3 anticipation [3.4%]). As there is no common and standardized training content on scanning behavior and situation awareness in today's flight school education in Switzerland, an effective training concept is necessary a) to support pilots in achieving and maintaining appropriate scanning skills; b) to develop personal mechanisms in handling situation awareness and c) to regain situation awareness after an unexpected event (e.g., LOC-I). The following paper aims at demonstrating a new training design for general aviation pilots. The training involves theoretical information about scanning techniques and situation awareness and is combined with practical exercises - either in a flight simulator or in real flight sessions. During the practical training session, the pilot wears an eye tracking device, which provides the flight instructor (trainer) with immediate information on the pilot's scanning patterns and state of situation awareness.