A method for measuring pilot workload based on task analysis

This paper presents a method for measuring pilot workload based on task analysis in order that the cockpit can be designed more reasonably. In addition, a prototype system is developed to use this method for the assessment of pilot workload. The method breaks the pilot’s mission into several phases, segments, functions and tasks. And break pilot workload into 6 components using Wickens’ "multi-resource theory", which are vision(V), vision goggles(G), auditory sensation(A), cognitive activity(C), psychomotor activity(P) and kinesthesis(K). All missions consist of those tasks and each task have 6 workload components. The workload components for each task have been acquired by a study on many pilots, so workload can be assessed. A mission analysis database is built, and the prototype system can simulate pilot’s flight process and evaluate workload.