Flight Management Workload Adjustment for Pilot Stress Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flight management systems do not effectively adjust pilot workload and stress levels during flights, leading to potential increases in pilot fatigue and stress, which can impact safety and operational efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilizes sensors to track pilot workload and stress levels, adjusting tasks and crew rosters based on collected data to manage workload and stress thresholds, using a controller connected to the flight control computer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If flight management systems generate detailed flight plans with multiple waypoints and parameters, then flight precision and route optimization are improved, but pilot workload and stress levels increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflight plan precisionVSAvoidpilot workload

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The FMS is designed to automatically generate, optimize, and adjust flight plans without requiring extensive pilot intervention. The system self-manages waypoint sequencing, altitude planning, and speed optimization based on aircraft performance data and atmospheric conditions, reducing the cognitive burden on pilots while maintaining high precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors flight progress and automatically adjusts the flight plan based on real-time data from sensors, air traffic control updates, and aircraft performance. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the FMS to handle complex adjustments autonomously, preserving precision while minimizing pilot workload

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the flight plan includes numerous waypoints and detailed parameters, then route optimization and fuel efficiency are improved, but pilot stress and fatigue increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidpilot performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual pilot management of complex flight parameters with an automated computer-based FMS. The system calculates optimal fuel consumption profiles, manages waypoint sequencing, and adjusts flight parameters automatically, substituting mechanical pilot actions with electronic automation to reduce stress while optimizing fuel efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The FMS integrates multiple functions including navigation, performance management, fuel optimization, and air traffic control communication into a single unified system. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle diverse operational requirements simultaneously, maintaining fuel efficiency without requiring pilots to manage each function separately, thereby reducing fatigue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12494134B2System and method of adjusting a pilot workload

Publication Date: 2025.12.09 GE AVIATION SYST LTD

AI summary

A system and method for adjusting an operator workload during a travel segment includes tracking inputs by an operator into an avionic system responsive to a request from a flight control computer during one or more flights of an aircraft, determining a rate at which the inputs by the operator are made, and determining an operator workload based on the rate. The operator workload can be adjusted when the operator workload exceeds a predetermined threshold.