Since the first flight
simulator, flight instructor's main task of monitoring and evaluating trainee
performance is an integral part of the flight simulator. The instructor's main
tool for performance evaluation is his subjective perceptiveness. During the
last few decades manufacturers and researchers of flight simulators have begun
the search for additional evaluation tools. The first tools developed were
objective performance based tools.
However, their development process was hindered by the difficulty of defining
what the optimal performance level actually is, and particularly so in combat
flights.In the last few years
researchers have begun to explore the possibility of adding an objective
measurement dimension, by sampling various parameters off the trainee's body
during task performance. This measurement of physiological parameters requires
extensive research and development of appropriate measurement tools, analysis
processes and display systems. The present research examines several means for
implementing the aforementioned measurement, for developing tools and methods
of analysis and for displaying the measurement results. Following a review of
existing measurement tools and parameters, three measurement tools were chosen.
The first measure, scientifically known as GSR, examined in numerous studies,
measures the electric conductivity in the trainee's palm fingers. The second
measure, known as EMG, measures the electric activity in the palm muscle.The third measure,
known as FSR, measures the force applied in the steering stick grip.A basic steering task
was developed for the experimental task and performed by the participants on a
PC screen. Throughout the task, designated software monitored trainees'
performance and compared it to the optimal performance criteria, while at the
same time the instructor watched the trainee and subjectively evaluated his
performance. In this manner, data was obtained for the 3 standard evaluative
dimensions for each task, and additionally the trainee was asked to evaluate
his own performance. Each of the 25 participants performed 12 tracking tasks of
varying levels of difficulty. The results point to an increase in skin
conductivity as task difficulty rises. However, the data received from the
other measures was less conclusive. Further on, several
data analysis and processing methods were examined. The research findings
indicate a new possible data analysis method, based on dividing the sample into
subgroups and matching the results analysis method to each subgroup. The
comparison of trainee and instructor subjective evaluations revealed gaps,
supporting the need for new tools for aiding the instructor make more accurate
evaluations of the trainee mental workload.
