Effects of interior aircraft noise on pilot performance

How well the pilot performs tasks significantly affects flight efficiency and safety, and pilot performance is affected by factors in the cockpit environment. For example, studies have shown that interior aircraft noise affects pilot performance, but the potential cumulative effects of such noise have yet to be examined. The present study examined the cumulative influence of the interior noise of a light, propeller-driven, single-piston engine aircraft on operation-related performance of 14 civil pilots aged 22-26 years with 165-350 flight hours of experience. Pilots filled out a questionnaire asking about the perceived influence of noise on their performance. Then they were exposed to recorded cockpit noise, after which they were asked to execute a variety of standard flight simulation tasks on a flight simulator. Their performance was assessed based on objective measures. Analysis using descriptive methods, paired t-test and mixed linear regression showed no significant average and maximum deviations from predefined default parameters of standard flight elements in the presence of cumulative noise exposure up to 20% or 40% of permitted daily noise dose. The results of the self-report questionnaire and objective performance in flight simulations suggest that cumulative noise exposure may not significantly affect pilot aviating and navigating tasks. Further studies are eventually needed to verify and extend these results with higher cumulative noise exposure, more noise dose sequences and greater number of more experienced pilots.