Effects of Task Proficiency and Automation Reliability on Pilot-ePilot Teaming in Intelligent Aircraft Cockpits

Abstract

Intelligence of aircraft cockpits can be improved by creating an electronic pilot (ePilot) to establish a Pilot-ePilot teaming relationship. Effects of task proficiency and automation reliability on such kind of human-autonomy teaming were studied, including task performance, task load, situation awareness, trust in automation, and human errors. In a 2 × 3 within-subjects experiment (low, medium & high levels for task proficiency and automation reliability), 21 male participants completed simulated flight tasks within local airport traffic patterns. Participants were teamed up with a system which took over the flight control priority based on task requirements and cognitive states. Experimental data was analyzed by statistical tests on significance and effect sizes. Results indicated that automation reliability influenced subjective and objective measures more than task proficiency, while task proficiency partly compensated the loss of performance due to deteriorated automation reliability. Findings support that the pilot-centered design principle should still be adhered to for Pilot-ePilot teaming in intelligent aircraft cockpits.

Keywords:

• Aircraft cockpits
• human-autonomy teaming
• task proficiency
• automation reliability
• trust in automation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Joint Fund of National Natural Science Foundation of China and Civil Aviation Administration of China (U2033202, U1333119), and National Natural Science Foundation of China (52172387).

Notes on contributors

Xia Zhang

Xia Zhang is currently a Research Ergonomist with China Aeronautical Radio Electronics Research Institute in Shanghai. He received the Ph.D. degree from Nanjing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics in 2022. His research interests include human-automation interaction, human-systems integration, and system safety.

Youchao Sun

Youchao Sun is currently a Professor with the College of Civil Aviation, Nanjing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics. His research interests include human-machine systems, system reliability engineering and airworthiness. He is involved in the design and development of advanced aircrafts in China.

Chuanqi Yan

Chuanqi Yan is currently a Research Assistant with the Key Laboratory of Avionics System Integrated Technology, China Aeronautical Radio Electronics Research Institute, Shanghai. His research interests include human factors engineering and ergonomics with avionics systems.

Haoying Mao

Haoying Mao is currently a Research Assistant with the Department of Civil Aircraft Systems, China Aeronautical Radio Electronics Research Institute, Shanghai. Her research interests include design and evaluation of human-computer interfaces in civil aircraft cockpits.