Attentional Tasks Model: A Focus Group Approach

Abstract

The main goal of this paper is to set up a model of piloting tasks (the Attentional Task Model) which require attention for operating an aircraft. This model serves as a tool to predict attentional measurements with each task of a complete list of piloting actions. The main objective of this Attentional Task Model is to provide attention scores for all flight tasks allowing a classification of tasks on their attention scores. In order to determine these scores, we conducted several meetings and finally we held a focus group discussion with a group of pilots. Participants included pilots from CAE and Bombardier. Each participant has unique piloting experience and knowledge, and this variety made the discussion detailed and in-depth, and led to gathering information about the subject taking into account all aspects. The results of our analysis show that while the attentional score for all phases is fluctuating between 1 to 6, the “Rejected Takeoff” and “Go Around” are the most strategic phases and have highest Attention Scores (9 and 10 respectively). The aims of this discussion were to gather some information about the required amount of attention for flight phases from the beginning to the end of the flight. This information is very important to model the pilots’ attention and determine a baseline level of workload and required task attention.