Eye-tracking-based analysis of walk-around inspection behavioral characteristics in general aviation pilots

doi:10.16265/j.cnki.issn1003-3033.2025.11.0542

Abstract

Abstract:

In order to enhance the proficiency of general aviation pilots in walk-around inspections and ensure aviation safety, eye-tracking technology was employed to measure and analyze the completion rates and fixation behavior characteristics of pilots categorized by experience level. Based on the walk-around checklists and inspection procedures, Diamond DA-40D aircraft was divided into six Areas of Interest (AOI), including the engine, wings, fuselage, landing gear, and empennage. During the participants' walk-around inspections, the completion rates of the walk-around checks and the characteristics of fixation behavior for these six AOI were recorded by means of an eye tracker. The results show that the completion rates of inspections in five AOI, including the empennage, engine, right wing, left wing, and left landing gear, were significantly higher in the veteran group than in the novice group. With the increase in flight experience, the completion rates of general aviation pilots' walk-around inspections gradually improve. Significantly higher total fixation durations and total fixation counts were observed in the experienced group compared to the novice group across five AOI: the engine, right landing gear, right wing, left wing, and left landing gear. A significantly longer average fixation duration on the engine AOI was demonstrated by the novice group relative to the experienced group. Recommendations are provided for training to place greater emphasis on the empennage section, right wing, left wing, and left landing gear areas. Additionally, enhancement of novices' inspection capabilities regarding the engine and left landing gear areas is suggested.

Key words: eye-tracking measurement, general aviation pilots, walk-around inspection, inspection completion rate, fixation behavior characteristics

CLC Number:

X949

WANG Yanqing, ZHANG Chengyue, REN Jingrui, ZHANG Shuhan, LIU Di. Eye-tracking-based analysis of walk-around inspection behavioral characteristics in general aviation pilots[J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2025, 35(11): 42-48.

Figures/Tables 9

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检查区域及编号	检查项目	检查方式/状态
1.前机身	滑油量	量尺检查
	变速箱滑油量	检查
	发动机蒙皮	外观检查
	进气口	无异物
	螺旋桨	检查
	螺旋桨整流罩	外观检查
2.前起落架	前起落架支柱	外观检查
	起落架支柱整流罩	外观检查
	轮胎、轮毂、刹车盘	外观检查
	轮舱整流罩	外观检查
	牵引杆	移走
	轮胎充气压力	压缩量正常,无超量磨损
	轮挡	移走

聚类类别(平均值±标准差)		F	p
类别1	类别2	F	p
0.94±0.04	0.67±0.11	59.11	0.00

AOI		尾翼	发动机	右机翼	右起落架	左机翼	左起落架
检查项数		13	6	16	6	20	4
被试	老手	0.91±0.12	1.00±0.00	0.95±0.05	1.00±0.00	0.93±0.06	0.90±0.32
被试	新手	0.65±0.18	0.39±0.47	0.75±0.12	0.98±0.06	0.64±0.08	0.36±0.49

注视行为指标	被试	发动机	右起落架	右机翼	尾翼	左机翼	左起落架
总注视时间/s	老手	88.10±40.02	8.94±7.76	35.54±17.22	12.50±4.88	40.22±22.55	8.18±5.91
总注视时间/s	新手	69.51±38.50	2.03±1.39	21.48±9.64	13.77±5.43	18.23±3.37	2.59±2.00
总注视次数	老手	166.30±64.27	21.20±9.58	89.90±22.48	33.20±12.01	103.70±30.32	21.00±13.57
总注视次数	新手	93.22±51.82	6.33±3.71	56.33±19.76	40.11±15.07	51.67±11.92	7.11±4.01
平均注视时间/s	老手	0.53±0.17	0.39±0.15	0.38±0.09	0.38±0.10	0.37±0.11	0.37±0.14
平均注视时间/s	新手	0.74±0.27	0.32±0.09	0.38±0.09	0.36±0.10	0.36±0.09	0.34±0.13
平均瞳孔直径/mm	老手	4.35±0.643	4.40±0.69	4.04±0.61	4.66±0.72	4.47±0.71	4.57±0.80
平均瞳孔直径/mm	新手	4.27±0.68	4.24±0.75	3.88±0.63	4.71±0.74	4.34±0.71	4.43±0.68