Comparison and characterization of visual scan patterns of expert and cadet pilots in VFR landing

Situational awareness is important for pilot control during visual flight rules aircraft landings. This study evaluated the monitoring processes of nine experienced and nine cadet pilots by considering the fixation time outside and inside the cockpit of a Frasca 242 flight simulator. Attention during the final 120 s prior to touchdown was quantified using a portable Tobii eye tracker. Results revealed significant differences in the time spent looking outside the cockpit for the expert (77.5%) and cadet (85.4%) groups. Both groups also showed a significant difference in their attention to visual information within the cockpit, and outside, considering optimal or moderate turbulence conditions. The findings are broadly in agreement with Airplane Flying Handbook guidelines for situational awareness, but provide important empirical data on how pilot attention may be modulated considering factors including experience and adaptation to degraded flying conditions. Visual attention may thus play an important role in mapping flight safety.