Visual Illusions in Aviation
@ University of Waterloo
A two year collaborative research project with University of Waterloo and York University. The goal of the project was to evaluate the effectiveness of flight simulators to generate aviation-relevant visual illusions to inform pilot training.
Background & Goals
Pilots may rely on their vision to control aircraft trajectory rather than instrumentation either by choice or by necessity (e.g. instruments are unavailable). Unfortunately, during visually guided flight pilots are more susceptible to spatial disorientation caused by visual illusions. The severity and prevalence of spatial disorientation-related mishaps in aviation are well established. However, opportunities to experience and learn to counter these illusions during flight training are limited. The goal of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of flight simulators to generate the disorientation experienced during aviation-relevant visual illusions in order to inform pilot training scenarios. Key goals include:
Research Goals
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Determine if a relatively low cost flight simulator is able to generate the spatial disorientation caused by visual illusions by simulating two of the most common aviation illusions; (1) black hole illusion and (2) false horizon illusion.
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Design a qualitative questionnaire that assesses whether other demographics and pilot experience influence trainee pilot's susceptibility to these illusions
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Design one-on-one interviews to measure pilot feedback after the simulated flight tasks and gain feedback on the relevance of these simulations to inform pilot training
Methods
I collaborated with a cross-functional team of academic researchers at York University and University of Waterloo to conceptualize, design, and execute two studies at the University of Waterloo's Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA) facility.
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Our team designed two studies that assessed performance during simulated flight scenarios while experiencing (1) a black hole illusion, or (2) a false horizon illusion. Both of these scenarios were created in a ALSIM AL250 FSTD fixed-based flight training device.
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I designed Qualtrics surveys to access flight experience, modelled flight data as performance statistics, visualized flight trajectories as interactive data reports, and conducted one-on-one interviews with pilot trainees.
Figure 1: Cockpit view of ALSIM simulator
Crucial Insights
This project determined that low-cost aviation simulators could effectively elicit the spatial disorientation associated with the black hole illusion in trainee pilots.
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Most trainee pilots demonstrated the expected spatial disorientation during the simulated black hole scenario. In post-flight interviews, some pilots stated they adopted strategies in their approaches to counteract the illusion. However, half of these pilots still succumbed to the disorientation. This implies that knowledge of the illusion does not mitigate its impact. Neither total flight hours nor night flying experience mitigated the effects of the illusion.
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Note: At the time of writing, data collection for the false horizon study has not been completed.
Research Impact
Strategic Impact
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The project demonstrates that it is feasible to implement simulated visual illusion scenarios in aviation training and research
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The flight and interview data was used to inform the creation of valid training demonstrations to supplement WISA's pilot training program
My Learnings
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Gained valuable insight regarding conducting studies with a large multidisciplinary team
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Built valuable professional relationships with the WISA research team
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Learned intricacies of the requirements and curriculum for the aviation training program