2025 WISA Technical Reports

A comprehensive data collection and processing protocol for general aviation pilot performance assessment and behaviour research 

The advancement of aviation human factors research and pilot training technology relies heavily on the systematic collection and analysis of flight and pilot performance data. This technical report presents a standardized methodology for data acquisition, processing, and management to support future research in aviation human factors. The methodology ensures consistency and reliability by outlining structured procedures for collecting multimodal data from real aircraft or flight simulator operations.

This report details the design of flight tasks specifically developed to gather comprehensive pilot performance data under controlled and operational conditions. It specifies the types of data collected, including flight telemetry (altitude, speed, heading, and aircraft control inputs if possible), physiological responses (heart rate, eye-tracking, and electrodermal activity), and behavioral indicators (pilot workload, decision-making patterns, and communication). Additionally, it describes the integration of various data acquisition tools, such as flight data recorders, wearable biometric sensors, and eye-tracking devices.

Beyond data collection, this report outlines the protocols for data preprocessing, including synchronization, cleaning, and structuring for analysis. The report also describes best practices for ensuring data integrity, security, and accessibility, detailing how datasets are stored in centralized repositories to support ongoing and future aviation research projects. By establishing a robust and scalable methodological framework, this report provides a foundation for enhancing pilot training, improving aviation safety, and advancing competency-based assessments in general aviation.