Instrument Scan—Is it an Indicator of the Pilot's Workload?

Abstract

This presentation describes an investigation of the relationship between an aircraft pilot's visual scanning of instruments and his level of mental activity during a simulated approach and landing. The study was motivated by the increasing concern, in several areas of man-machine interaction, with the effects of changes in manual control and monitoring procedures on mental workload. This concern is particularly keen with regard to airline pilots, air traffic controllers, power plant operators, and personnel in control of large ocean-going vessels, since the cost of error can be quite high in any of these man-machine systems.