Aviation Psychology and Human Factors

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-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...

New neuroimaging research indicates that long-duration spaceflight results in structural brain changes, which could be the result of increased intracranial pressure while exposed to low levels of gravity. The findings have been published in the journal Radiology. "I have been...

Pilots flying in hazardous weather are required to execute a missed approach procedure if the runway is not in sight at a specific altitude or the pilot decides it is unsafe to attempt to land -- a situation that is...

New research provides more evidence that unexpected events harm flight performance. The study used heart rate monitors and eye-tracking devices to investigate the psycho-physiological impact of being surprised in the cockpit. The findings have been published in a master's thesis...

Viewing landing scenes appears to activate the "Mirror Neuron" system in pilots more than it does in non-pilots, according to preliminary research published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. The "Mirror Neuron" system is a network of neurons that are activated...

Media coverage of airplane crashes has diverged sharply from trends in aviation safety over time, according to new research published in Journalism Studies. The findings provide some new insights into how the media's distortion of reality can influence public behavior....

English is the language used around the world by civil aviation professionals, including pilots, flight dispatchers, and air traffic controllers. New research suggests that words -- as opposed to numbers -- are a more frequent source of errors among pilots...

According to new research, perceived workload is an independent predictor of fatigue among airline cabin crews -- who are responsible for ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers aboard commercial flights. The study, published in The International Journal of Aerospace...

New research in PLOS One sheds light on how airline pilots use in-flight sleep to manage fatigue on long-haul flights. The study indicates that many pilots try to prepare their body for sleep before the trip even begins. The new...

Sleep-deprived pilots suffer several impairments in mood and cognition, according to new research published in the scientific journal Biological Rhythm Research. The findings provide more evidence that sleep deprivation poses a serious threat to flight safety. "I began by researching...

Research has found that college athletes may be less likely to report a concussion because they consider the impact on their team and their career prospects. A new study from the United States Air Force Academy suggests that a similar...

New research provides evidence that two common cognitive biases could impact pilot's perception of past events in ways that adversely affect how they make future decisions. The findings, which appear in the journal Applied Cognitive Psychology, indicate that pilots could...

Airline pilots are often exhausted. An extreme example happened in 2008, when a pilot and a co-pilot both fell asleep at the controls, missing their landing in Hawaii – earning pilot’s license suspensions as well as getting fired. More recently,...

Pilots high in trait mindfulness tend to be involved in fewer hazardous aviation incidents, according to a study published in the Journal of Safety Research. The study found that trait mindfulness had a direct and negative effect on airlines pilots'...