Exploring the effects of working memory capacity, attention and expertise on situation awareness in a flight simulation environment

Download

index.pdf

Date

2012

Author

Özcan, Orçun Orkan

Metadata

Show full item record

Item Usage Stats

363
views

191
downloads

Experienced and novice simulator pilots are subject to some of the constraints of a real flight (or a full flight simulator) situation in a PC based flight simulation. In this thesis, the effects of expertise, working memory capacity, inhibition and divided attention on situation awareness (SA) in simulated flight task environments are investigated. The cognitive aspects underlying the process of situation awareness are explored by analyzing the compound effects of above listed factors. Online and Offline SA measurements obtained from a simulated flight task are used with flight hours standing for expertise and scores of Automated Operation Span Task, Stroop and Coşkunöz visual attention tasks as measurements for working memory capacity, inhibition and divided attention respectively. Regression analyses reveal that expected relationships of simulator pilots’ SA with expertise and inhibition capacity are supported. On the other hand, expected relationships of SA with working memory and divided attention capacities are not revealed. This situation probably results from unsystematic differences in simulator pilots’ practices. In addition to the main experiment, simulator pilots’ levels of neural activity at their dorsolateral prefrontal cortex are also measured during their behavioral performance. The relationships among neural correlates of mental workload induced by the simulated flight are investigated by the functional near-infrared (fNIR) spectroscopy optical brain imaging technology. Theorized mental workload distinction in the scenario of the simulated flight task is successfully observed in both perceived workload declarations and oxygenation measurements by fNIR.

Subject Keywords

Short-term memory., Attention., Flight simulators, Simulation methods, Distraction (Psychology)

URI

http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12614727/index.pdf
https://hdl.handle.net/11511/21918

Collections

Graduate School of Informatics, Thesis

Suggestions

OpenMETU
Core

Exploring the Effects of Working Memory Capacity Attention and Expertise on Situation Awareness in a Flight Simulation Environment Özcan, Orkan; Çakır, Murat Perit; Say, Bilge (null; 2013-05-06) Simulator pilots are subject to some of the constraints of a real flight situation in a PC based flight simulation. Situation awareness (SA) for simulator pilots was explored in terms of underlying cognitive aspects by analyzing the compound effects of expertise, working memory, inhibition and divided attention. Online and Offline SA measurements were analyzed with expertise and scores of Automated Operation Span Task, Stroop and Coşkunöz visual attention tasks. Regression analyses revealed the expected rel...
Determining a strategy for favorable acquisition and utilization of complex technologies: flight simulation training devices (FSTD) Boztaş, Ömer; Erdil, Erkan; Özgen, Serkan; Department of Science and Technology Policy Studies (2012) The thesis investigates the elements of a consistent strategy for favorable acquisition and utilization of Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTD), thus Full Flight Simulators (FFS) and Flight Training Devices (FTD). The primary purpose is to determine a knowledge-based strategy for the end-user, acquisition professional, aviation firms and institutions. Hence, it could be possible to shed a light for cooperative groups and main institutions of national innovation system involved in entrepreneurial and in...
Towards interoperable and composable trajectory simulations: an ontology-based approach Durak, U.; Oğuztüzün, Mehmet Halit S.; Algin, C. Koksal; Ozdikis, O. (Informa UK Limited, 2011-08-01) Trajectory simulation is a software module that computes the flight path and flight parameters of munitions. It is used throughout the engineering process, including simulations for studying the design trade-offs, to mission simulations for defended area analysis. In this wide application domain, reuse has always been one of the challenges of the trajectory simulation community. We apply an ontology-based simulation development methodology to fulfil the functional requirements of a trajectory simulation whi...
Increasing the Sense of Presence in a Simulation Environment Using Image Generators Based on Visual Attention Ciflikli, Burak; İşler, Veysi; GÜDÜKBAY, UĞUR (MIT Press - Journals, 2010-12-01) Flight simulator systems generally use a separate image-generator component. The host is responsible for the positional data updates of the entities and the image generator is responsible for the rendering process. In such systems, the sense of presence is decreased by model flickering. This study presents a method by which the host can minimize model flickering in the image-generator output. The method is based on preexisting algorithms, such as visibility culling and level of detail management of 3D model...
Out-the window scene properties in pc-based helicopter simulators Karaahmetoglu, Cuneyt; Yılmaz, Erdal; Cetin, Yasemin Yardimci; Köksal, Gülser (2006-04-18) PC based Flight Simulators (PC-FS) have been appeared as alternative training devices for pilot training to Enhanced Flight Simulators due to their low cost and absolute availability. Visuals presented in PC-FS are adequate for aircraft pilot training; this is not true for helicopter pilot training due to too low altitudes and speeds. Especially for hovering, increased visual quality is required because of extremely low altitude (3-15 feet) and small movements. In this project, two experiments were conducte...

Citation Formats

O. O. Özcan, “Exploring the effects of working memory capacity, attention and expertise on situation awareness in a flight simulation environment,” M.S. - Master of Science, Middle East Technical University, 2012.