Study on fighter pilots and drone swarms sheds light on the dynamics of trust within human-machine teams
A groundbreaking study on experienced fighter pilots challenges previous assumptions about the pull-down effect in military operations and highlights the potential for enhanced mission performance.
Even seasoned pilots fall prey to outcome bias, study in Applied Cognitive Psychology reveals
A study found pilots, regardless of experience, show outcome bias in decision-making, judging past decisions based on results rather than the decision process. This highlights the need for aviation training to address cognitive biases to improve safety.
Modafinil and caffeine improve vigilance of individuals deprived of sleep, study finds
A study on members of the Royal Netherlands Air Force found that 200 mg of modafinil and 300 mg of caffeine effectively counter the adverse effects of being awake for 17 hours on vigilance. The effect of modafinil seems to...
Brain changes in fighter pilots may cast light on astronauts during space travel
Understanding the effects of space travel will help us to plan long-haul space flights, but getting access to astronauts is not easy. A new study investigates whether F16 fighter pilots demonstrate brain connectivity changes that could be expected in astronauts,...
False confidence: Watching a simple video increases people’s belief in their own ability to land a plane
Have you ever seen or heard of someone doing a very difficult task and think “that doesn’t seem so hard, I bet I could do that too?” A study published in Royal Society Open Science tests how far this phenomenon...
Pilots tend to have less emotional intelligence than the average person, new research suggests
Being emotionally intelligent may be important for a teacher, salesman, or therapist, but what about for a pilot? A study published in Nature’s Scientific Reports suggests that pilots are less likely to be emotionally intelligent compared to the average person.
Study highlights the link between cognition, emotions, and physiology in long-duration flight missions
New research published in the journal Military Psychology sheds light on how long-duration flight missions impact cognitive performance, subjective emotions, and physiological markers.
Mindfulness training increases sense of fellowship among military aviation crew, study finds
A Norwegian military aviation crew who participated in a mindfulness intervention demonstrated an increased sense of fellowship following the training. Crew members cited a host of interpersonal effects, such as greater unity, communication, and connection.
Study uncovers severe mental health issues among flight attendants at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic
Flight attendants who were grounded at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic showed severe symptoms of depression and stress, according to a study published in Frontiers in Psychology. Those who were flying during this time showed severe symptoms of anxiety....
Study on the black hole effect suggests basic perceptual errors are to blame for the dangerous aviation illusion
New research from the Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton sheds light on the black hole illusion, a dangerous phenomenon -- also known as the black hole effect or featureless terrain illusion -- that affects pilots attempting to land at night....
Lack of stress linked to poorer performance in student pilots during highly demanding situations
Excessive levels of stress have been shown to harm flight performance. But not experiencing heightened stress and arousal during demanding flight procedures might also be an indicator of poor performance, according to new research published in The International Journal of...
Study suggests many general aviation pilots downplay the impact of stress on flight safety
New research published in the journal Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors provides insight into how general aviation pilots assess and manage different types of risk. "I have a particular interest in aviation, partially because my father was a military...
U.S. Army aviation personnel regularly consume coffee and energy drinks to cope with fatigue and the mental demands of the job
Research published in Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance suggests that U.S. Army aircrew regularly use caffeine to cope with the demands of the job, amidst a lack of knowledge of positive dietary habits. Caffeine is widely consumed across America, mostly...
Neuroscience studies suggest that pilots display a unique pattern of brain functional connectivity
Pilots display a different pattern of functional connectivity in the brain, according to new research conducted in China. The new studies examined interactions and synchronized activity between different areas of the brain, and the findings suggest that pilots tend to...
A mnemonic procedure could improve decision-making in pilots who experience the startle effect in-flight
A mnemonic-like procedure could help pilots overcome startle and surprise, according to new research published in The International Journal of Aerospace Psychology. The study suggests that such a procedure can improve decision-making in the wake of an unexpected event. "It...
