Eye-Tracking Metrics as an Indicator of Workload in Commercial Single-Pilot Operations

There is a current trend in commercial aviation that points toward a possible transition from two-crew to single-pilot operations (SPO). The workload on the single pilot is expected to be a major issue for SPO. In order to find the best support solutions for the pilot in SPO, a thorough understanding of pilot workload is required. The present study aims at evaluating pilot workload by means of eye-tracking metrics. A flight simulator study was conducted with commercial pilots. Their task was to fly short approach and landing scenarios with or without the support of a second pilot. The results showed that fixation frequencies were higher during SPO, average dwell durations decreased, and participants transitioned more frequently between different areas of interest. These results suggest that particularly the temporal demand requires adequate support for a possible transition to SPO. The eye-tracking metrics support results obtained from subjective workload ratings.

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