A Methodology to Determine the Psychomotor Performance of Helicopter Pilots During Flight Maneuvers

Alterations in white matter fiber tracts and their correlation with flying cadet behavior

An increasing number of studies have shown that flight training alters the human brain structure; however, most studies have focused on gray matter, and the exploration of white matter structure has been largely neglected. This study aimed to investigate the changes in white matter structure induced by flight training and estimate the correlation between such changes and psychomotor and flight performance. Diffusion tensor imaging data were obtained from 25 flying cadets and 24 general college students. Data were collected in 2019 and 2022 and analyzed using automated fiber quantification. This study found no significant changes in the flight group in 2019. However, in 2022, the flight group exhibited significant alterations in the diffusion tensor imaging of the right anterior thalamic radiation, left cingulum cingulate, bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus, and left arcuate fasciculus. These changes occurred within local nodes of the fiber tracts. In addition, we found that changes in fiber tracts in the 2022 flight group were correlated with the reaction time of the psychomotor test task and flight duration. These findings may help improve flight training programs and provide new ideas for the selection of excellent pilots.

Influence of a special training process on the psychomotor skills of cadet pilots – Pilot study

Objectives

The aim of the pilot study was to check the influence of the training process on the Special Aviation Gymnastics Instruments (SAGI) on the improvement of the psychomotor skills, expressed as an increase in the percentage of ability to perform all tasks and the number of reels on a loop.

Materials and methods

Cadets - second year pilots (n = 20), male, mean age 20.8 years old, studying at the faculty of a pilot. Cadets were carrying out a 40-h special pilot training program on SAGI. They were subjected to two exercise tests (reels forward on looping), before and after the period of special training. Exercise tests were performed with the use of a diagnostic and training device used to assess psychomotor skills. During two tests, heart rate (HR) and blood pressure were measured. The obtained results were analysed statistically.

Results

There was a statistically significant increase in the percentage of ability to perform all tasks (p < 0.01) and a statistically insignificant increase in the number of reels forward on looping, in test II in relation to test I. A significant increase was found in the correct execution of arithmetic operations (p < 0.05) in test II in relation to test I. In the remaining tests, an increase in results in test II was noted, but it was not statistically significant. There was a significant correlation between the percentage ability to perform all tasks and the number of completed reels in test I (p < 0.05) and insignificant in test II. In test II, a statistically insignificant higher level of heart rate and blood pressure before and after the effort was noted, compared to test I.

Conclusion

It was found that the training process on SAGI increased the psychomotority level by increasing the percentage of ability to perform all tasks and the number of reels, in test II in relation to test I.