Assessment Methodology of Interior Aircraft Noise Influence on Pilot Performance and Temporary Threshold Shift

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that the impact of interior aircraft noise on pilot performance was not unambiguous, neither there was any unanimous methodology used for measuring it. Furthermore, the cumulative character of noise was never taken into account. This research proposes a methodology that aims to determine the impact of INTRODUCTIONEvery day's flight tasks performed by pilots require concentration, analytical illation, precise movements, continuous performance, and long-term attention. Such tasks are particularly expressed in the process of flight training since automatic flight control systems on the general aviation aircraft during basic flight training are not in use. The effectiveness of the pilot in performing tasks significantly affects flight efficiency and safety. At the same time, pilot performance is affected by the environmental factors in the cockpit with noise being the most significant one.Human factors in aviation were gradually developed and institutionalized by the end of the 1970s. They denote a term that describes various pilot performance aspects interacting with environmental factors in the aircraft cockpit, while pilot performance means aircraft guidance along with navigation and communication management. The error, which is defined as the action -or lack of action -and which leads pilots to deviate from the institutional or the pilot's intentions or expectations, is important performance viewpoint in aviation. The quality of pilot work has certain significance, not only as the effectiveness, but also as for outcomes such as efficiency and flight safety [1]. McFadden in [2] elaborates on the causes of pilot errors and safety threats in aviation, but does not include the impact of all the working environment factors in the aircraft cockpit. These factors are humidity, temperature, pressure, vibration, and, above all, the noise. Noise impact on pilots requires a sufficient level of noise etiology knowledge in order to reduce the potential negative impact on the efficiency and flight safety through adequate noise reduction procedures. This requirement is more pronounced in cases with a high degree of interaction between the pilot and the aircraft which is particularly distinctive in general aviation aircraft during basic flight training where there is no auto-pilot system in use. Research conducted on the Croatian national carrier pilots showed that flight safety was at least once disturbed by noise in 27.8% and 38.5% of turbofan and turboprop aircraft pilots, respectively [3]. The results were achieved by polling without putting the emphasis on actual effect of noise on pilot performance.The effects of exposure to noise can be physiological and psychological. The physiological effects can be auditory or non-auditory (extra-auditory or JURICA IVOŠEVIĆ, Ph.D. 1

The Study on Air Force Pilot’s Recognition about Cockpit Noise to Foster Aviation Safety by the Use of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)

“…According to the research about the correlation between the total flying time and aircraft types regarding pilot's hearing impairment, the more pilots have flown, the higher pilot's hearing impairment (Lee and Jung, 2002). James (2005) Loss of concentration, delayed reaction time, decreased alertness, and memory shortage that are directly related to pilot performance can take a toll on flight safety (Ivošević et al, 2016). The aviation safety is first and foremost in the ROKAF; however, without sufficient and proper protectors to minimize the noise effects, it is unlikely to achieve it.…”

“…The Study on Air Force Pilot's Recognition of Cockpit Noise and Permanent Threshold Shift (PTS) (Ivošević et al, 2016). In addition, non-auditory physiological effects of excessive noise include various subjective symptoms such as lethargy, anxiety, headaches, dizziness, nausea, stress, fatigue, or irritability (Ivošević et al, 2016).…”

International Symposium on Occupational Safety and Hygiene: Proceedings Book of the SHO2020

“…Cabin crew and passenger comfort and safety during the whole journey of an airplane travel has always been an issue for aircraft manufacturers and airline operators, which are continuously reducing the cabin internal noise by combining different insulating materials. These materials are used along the aircraft manufacturing processes to achieve the desirable noise attenuation levels in compliance with occupational safety standards (Quehl, 2001;Ivošević, et al, 2016;Lindvall, Västfjäll, 2013).…”