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Dwell time in certain areas of a display means changes elsewhere go unnoticed by the pilot. HeliOffshore Photo

Pilot eye tracking reveals poor visual scanning

By Thierry Dubois | December 7, 2016

Estimated reading time 3 minutes, 10 seconds.

A number of pilots in highly automated helicopters do not perform their visual scans properly, according to a study released by the HeliOffshore association. The safety-focused group launched a research project last year, submitting 26 crews to eye-tracking observation in a simulator. It said the results highlight insufficient knowledge of automation behavior.

Mode confusion and loss of mode awareness, as well as over-confidence and trust in automation, were among the areas of discussion in the study. Automation, which can help bring greater accuracy and efficiency, is best when performing tasks autonomously, François Lassale, HeliOffshore operations director, said. He was speaking at the 10th EASA Rotorcraft Symposium in Cologne, Germany, on Dec. 6, 2016.

According to Lassale, many pilots have, on occasion, found themselves wondering, “What is it doing now?” Such a question can indicate an incomplete mental model. “Automation feedback can be inadequate and the system’s complex logic differs from pilot reasoning; moreover, it differs considerably across manufacturers,” Lassale explained.

Poor visual scanning, as found in the eye-tracking study, signals an emerging split between the pilot and the automated system. The insufficient (or insufficiently fresh) amount of information the pilot retrieves from the displays in front of him or her had gone unnoticed until now.

Dwell time in certain areas of a display means changes elsewhere go unnoticed by the pilot. HeliOffshore Photo
Illustration A: Dwell time in certain areas of a display means changes elsewhere go unnoticed by the pilot. HeliOffshore Photo

Illustration A compares the ways two individuals scan the primary flight display (PFD). Neither of them is looking at the flight mode annunciator (the green letters in the upper band). Inappropriate use of autopilot modes was cited in the fatal ditching of an Airbus AS332 L2 Super Puma near Sumburgh airport, U.K., in 2013.

On the left, the so-called T-shaped scan denotes a relatively old pilot. The T-shaped scan is a structured scheme but, in that instance, it is incomplete. A phenomenon of dwell time in certain areas translates into too slow refreshing of information in other areas.

In other observations, the study shows a kite-shaped scan has developed among new-generation pilots. However, this is neither taught nor effective, Lassale suggested. Moreover, too many pilots have the same visual scan in fully coupled and partially coupled modes, although they should adapt. Lassale said he sees a good argument for evidence-based training.

Another comparison between two pilots in non-flying roles showed different scans of the PFD and the navigation display. Yet, as the result of proper training and proficiency, they should be similar.

These are not definitive results but interesting tools, Lassale noted. With phase one of the eye-tracking study now complete, a second phase is to begin in January for 12 months.

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3 Comments

  1. I tried to find someone ..much smarter than I .. interested in developing a simple App to train folks on basic instrument scan for the old T scan and modern display.
    My plan was to have all displays go dark except the one you should be looking at in a normal scan sequence ..starting slowly and then getting faster at your learning speed.
    When I transitioned to modern glass cockpit there was no training discussion on developing a “new” scan. A simple app would save a lot of $$$$ sim time.

  2. Why would ANYONE check the autopilot modes when they are already activated oO ?

    You activate them once, you check them once. It’s also a part of IFR checlist, no need to check every second wich modes are selected or not…
    This study seems to be bullshit.

  3. Helioffshore is a self-licking lollipop. I see no discernible improvement in safety since its birth.

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