The Effect of Active Noise Reduction Technology on Noise Induced Pilot Fatigue and Associated Cognitive Performance Decrements

Fatigue in the general aviation cockpit is caused by a variety of factors including cockpit noise. Active Noise Reduction (ANR) headsets have been proposed as a method to decrease cockpit noise and thereby decrease fatigue and the cognitive performance decrements associated with fatigue. The present study contrasted the subjective fatigue and cognitive performance of Certified Flight Instructors (CFI) during a day of in-air flight instruction with ANR headsets versus conventional headsets. CFIs exhibited increased subjective fatigue and a pattern of more rapid but less accurate cognitive performance at the end of an instructional day. However, subjective fatigue and cognitive performance changes did not differ as a function of type of headset worn. The results suggest that subjective fatigue increases and cognitive performance changes occur during a day of flying but they provide no evidence that the use of ANR headsets modify these changes.

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