Enhancing Pilot Training by Simulating Visual Illusions in Flight Simulators
I collaborated on a two-year research project with the University of Waterloo to evaluate how flight simulators can replicate disorienting visual illusions, providing insights that informed pilot training programs and safety practices.
Project Overview
Client: University of Waterloo & York University Collaboration
My Role: UX/HCI Researcher (Behavioural, Quantitative & Qualitative)
Timeline: September 2022 to September 2024
Skills & Tools: Experimental design, A/B tests, simulator studies, qualitative user interviews, survey design (Qualtrics), 3D simulation, quantitative data modelling (mixed effects and predictive modelling) & visualization in R
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Summary: This project evaluated whether low-cost flight simulators can replicate aviation-relevant visual illusions—such as the black hole and false horizon illusions—so that pilots can learn to recognize and counteract them in training.
Problem
Pilots often rely on visual cues to guide aircraft trajectory. However, during visually guided flight, they are vulnerable to spatial disorientation caused by visual illusions. Such illusions have contributed to numerous aviation accidents, yet opportunities for pilots to safely experience and learn to counteract them in training are limited.
Objective
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Assess whether flight simulators can effectively reproduce these illusions to inform safer, more realistic pilot training.
Research Goals
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Evaluate whether a low-cost fixed-base simulator can generate disorientation effects of two common illusions: the black hole illusion and the false horizon illusion.
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Measure susceptibility differences between men and women, in light of ongoing gender-balance initiatives in aviation.
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Design surveys and interviews to explore how demographics and pilot experience influence susceptibility.
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Collect feedback on the realism and training value of simulated illusions through one-on-one pilot interviews.
Methods
I collaborated with researchers at York University and the University of Waterloo’s Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA) to design and execute two studies:
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Simulated Flight Studies:
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Used the ALSIM AL250 FSTD fixed-based simulator to recreate black hole and false horizon illusions.
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Collected performance data on flight trajectories and task accuracy under illusion conditions.
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Surveys & Questionnaires:
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Designed Qualtrics surveys to capture demographics, pilot experience, and self-reported disorientation.
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Data Analysis & Visualization:
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Modeled flight performance data into key statistics.
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Created interactive reports visualizing flight trajectories.
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Qualitative Interviews:
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Conducted post-task interviews to assess perceived realism of illusions and relevance to training.
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Figure 1: Cockpit view of ALSIM simulator
Key Findings
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Illusions Reproduced: Both black hole and false horizon illusions successfully elicited expected spatial disorientation effects.
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Feasibility Proven: Low-cost simulators can replicate these illusions, making them a viable tool for aviation training.
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Gender Considerations: Results suggest that demographic differences, including gender, may affect susceptibility—highlighting the importance of inclusive research in pilot training design.
Impact
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Validated the feasibility of using simulators to train pilots to recognize and counteract visual illusions.
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Findings were incorporated into WISA’s pilot training program, influencing the development of training demonstrations for safer flight preparation.
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Supported broader discussions on gender-inclusive risk assessment in aviation training.
What I learned
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Strengthened skills in coordinating studies with a large multidisciplinary team.
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Gained practical insight into the requirements and structure of aviation training programs.
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Built lasting professional relationships with the WISA research team.