Study of NASA astronauts finds microgravity causes alterations of brain structures
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...
Airline captains with intermediate flight experience more likely to be involved in a missed approach incident than those with less experience
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...
Eye-tracking study shows how unexpected aviation events can disrupt a pilot’s cockpit scan
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...
Neuroscience study uncovers unique brainwave patterns in pilots
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...
Analysis of aviation incidents shows how ‘news develops a life of its own’
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....
Study sheds light on the role of language background in miscommunication between pilots and air traffic controllers
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...
Workload is an important factor contributing to airline cabin crew fatigue on ultra-long range flights
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...
Study uncovers some factors that might affect the amount and quality of airline pilots’ in-flight sleep
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...
New research highlights why sleep loss poses an insidious threat to flight safety
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...
Study suggests that pilots — like athletes — may be more likely to conceal a concussion
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...
Cognitive psychology research suggests pilots could be learning the wrong lessons from close-calls
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...
Research shows allowing pilots to sleep in the cockpit improves airline safety — will the FAA ever allow it?
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,...
Mindful airline pilots are involved in fewer potentially hazardous aviation incidents
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'...
Pilots with more flight hours have a greater internal locus of control, study finds
Professional pilots with more flight experience are less likely to believe that accidents are the result of circumstances outside of their control, according to new research in Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors. "I’ve always been a bit of a...
Study suggests it is common for airline pilots work in spite feeling tired, fatigued or unfit to fly
A new study suggests that inappropriate presenteeism -- working in spite of being sick, having poor mental health, or feeling fatigued -- is fairly common among Swedish commercial airline pilots. The findings appear in The International Journal of Aerospace Psychology....
