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| Research article summary (published 30 Mar 2009): |
Pilot workload during approaches: comparison of simulated standard and noise-abatement profiles.
Full Abstract
INTRODUCTION: A new noise-reduced landing approach was tested--a Segmented Continuous Descent Approach (SCDA)-with regard to the resulting workload on pilots. METHODS: Workload of 40 pilots was measured using physiological (heart rate, blood pressure, blink frequency, saliva cortisol concentration) and psychological (fatigue, sleepiness, tension, and task load) parameters. Approaches were conducted in A320 and A330 full-flight simulators during night shift. SCDA was compared to the standard Low Drag Low Power (LDLP) procedure as reference. RESULTS: Mean heart rate and blood pressure during the SCDA were not elevated, but were partly, even significantly, reduced (on average by 5 bpm and 4 mmHg from the flying captain). Cortisol levels did not change significantly with mean values of 0.9 to 1.2 ng ml(-1). Landing was the most demanding segment of both approaches as indicated by significant increases in heart rate and decreases in blink frequency. Subjective task load was low. DISCUSSION: Both approach procedures caused a similar workload level. Interpreting the results, methodological limitations have to be considered, e.g., the artificial and controlled airspace situation in the flight simulator. Nevertheless, it can be concluded that under these ideal conditions, the SCDA is operable without a higher workload for pilots compared to the common LDLP.
Author information
Author/s: Elmenhorst, Eva-Maria (EM); Vejvoda, Martin (M); Maass, Hartmut (H); Wenzel, Jürgen (J); Plath, Gernot (G); Schubert, Ekkehart (E); Basner, Mathias (M);
Affiliation: DLR-German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany. eva-maria.elmenhorst(-atsign-)dlr.de
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Journal: Aviation, space, and environmental medicine (Aviat Space Environ Med), published in United States. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2009-Apr; vol 80 (issue 4) : pp 364-70
Dates: Created 2009/04/21; Completed 2009/06/02;
PMID: 19378906, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 6/2/2009, IMS Date: 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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