Measuring Distribution of Attention as a Part of Situational Awareness - a Different Approach

This paper outlines a different approach to measure pilot aptitudes during flight simulator missions. An algorithm was developed to assess a candidate’s distribution of attention beyond observation technique, eye-tracking or multidimensional tracking (e.g. altitude, speed, heading), thus getting rid of typical measurement problems. The algorithm used to evaluate candidate’s distribution of attention in Phase III, German Armed Forces’ third phase of aircrew selection consisting of simulator flights in a typical training scenario, is a mere time measure. The following article describes its construction as well as advantages and disadvantages