Our lab is working on aviation safety by looking at the brain activity using fNIRS. We are evaluating pilot’s fatigue and stress level.  Experiments are being carried out both in flight simulators and in actual flight environment in a single-engine airplane since Professor Ansari is also a pilot.

The pilot work load during different phases of flight (e.g., take-off, landing, ATC communication, instrument and visual flight rules) and various visual illusions (e.g., autokinesis, false horizons, landing illusions, and flicker vertigo) may compromise flight safety.  It is important to monitor the neurophysiology of the pilot to prevent aviation accidents and maintain a safe environment for the pilot and flight crew.

During flight, functional Near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) can be used to non-invasively quantify a pilot’s neurophysiology.  We are also evaluating the effects of eye movements, brain stem activity, 3^rd cranial nerve activity, and the frontal lobe activity.

fNIRS in a Flight Simulator 

  (Dr. Ansari and Col. Tony Hurst in the flight simulator)

 (Take-off Roll) 

(In Flight)