Preparation for ASPIRE '25 is underway
The peer review of extended abstracts has been completed, with an overall acceptance rate of 50% for lectures and demonstrations. A big thank you to all the reviewers who contributed their time and expertise to strengthen the scientific quality of our discipline.
Authors of accepted submissions have the option to submit a full paper for inclusion in the conference proceedings. These full papers will undergo a second round of peer review, and the submission deadline is May 5th.
We're also pleased to share that ASTG successfully advocated for the HFES central office to publish their peer review guidelines. These guidelines will be shared with reviewers ahead of the full-paper review phase-fulfilling our commitment to provide learning opportunities on conducting high-quality peer reviews.
Join the ASTG leadership call
We're excited to open up our regular ASTG leadership calls to all members! These monthly calls are a great opportunity to exchange ideas, stay informed about ongoing projects, and contribute to the organization of conference activities and member events.
We typically discuss conference planning and initiatives to support the ASTG community. Whether you're looking to get more involved or just want to listen in, we'd love to have you join us.
Zoom Link (same for all calls): https://polymtl-ca.zoom.us/j/4818011803
Upcoming public calls:
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May 9th, 12:00 PM (ET) / 9:00 AM (PT)
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June 6th, 12:00 PM (ET) / 9:00 AM (PT)
The Rise of XR: Challenging the 6DOF Simulator in Vertical Flights
By Nicolas Quevedo
The helicopter training industry has long been dominated by six-degrees-of-freedom (6DOF) full flight simulators. While effective, these systems are costly, space-consuming, and resource-intensive. Extended reality (XR) platforms, such as those developed by Swiss-based Loft Dynamics, are emerging as viable, lower-cost alternatives capable of delivering comparable fidelity and safety outcomes.
Loft Dynamics has disrupted the simulation market by creating the world's first FAA- and EASA-approved XR flight simulation training devices, including platforms for the Airbus H125, H145, and Robinson helicopters. Their immersive XR simulators feature full-scale cockpit replicas, 360-degree visual fields, and dynamic motion systems, yet occupy a fraction of the space and cost of traditional 6DOF models.
Organizations such as Boston MedFlight and the Los Angeles Police Department are early adopters of this emerging training technology. Boston MedFlight recently partnered on the H145 XR simulator, allowing pilots to train for complex emergency medical service missions. Similarly, Los Angeles Police Department's aviation division uses Loft Dynamics' systems to enhance rotorcraft pilot readiness in challenging urban environments.
As helicopter operators look to leverage recent advancements in XR technology, the demand for high-fidelity, cost-effective, and scalable training solutions continues to rise. XR training is increasingly seen as a viable alternative to traditional 6DOF simulators in the eyes of both regulators and operators.
New Publications
By Philippe Doyon-Poulin
Affect and Performance in Simulated Flying Tasks: A Systematic Literature Review
Alejandra Ruiz-Segura & Susanne P. Lajoie
The authors conducted a systematic literature review using the PRISMA method and found 29 studies that reported on the pilot's affect in the flight simulator. Emotional response is clearly less studied and reported on than cognitive workload and situational awareness, yet it plays a central role in information processing and human error. They report on the relationship between emotions and flight performance, the effects of negative emotions like startle and anxiety, social dynamics reported in the cockpit and emotion management techniques.
Considerations for Airspace Integration Enabling Early Multi-Aircraft (m:N) Operations
NASA's recent white paper captures findings from a working group focused on enabling multi-aircraft operations (m:N)-where one or a few remote pilots (m) manage multiple uncrewed aircraft (N). A key challenge identified is the reliance on voice-based communication with human air traffic controllers, which could limit the scalability of m:N operations. The subgroup proposed a three-part strategic framework: (1) enabling VFR-like operations using technologies that meet or exceed the safety standards of traditional VFR procedures, such as advanced detect-and-avoid systems and real-time traffic awareness tools; (2) establishing ATC preapproved terminal airspace areas where such technology-enabled VFR-like operations could occur without routine voice interaction; and (3) supporting dynamic transitions between m:N operations and traditional one-to-one remote pilot control when needed. The paper emphasizes that while these concepts are promising, further research, testing, and technology development are required, and it does not represent a consensus view or formal NASA position.
Operational Human Factors Considerations for Head-Worn Display (HWD) Usage in Civil Aviation
The FAA published a systematic literature review of 32 articles addressing human factors consideration for HWD in aviation. The report begins by introducing HWD systems and their required components, and then reviews literature on cognitive and physical human factors relevant to their use in civil aviation. It further examines how these factors apply to specific flight phases like taxi, takeoff, approach, and landing. The report concludes with a discussion of commonly used performance and evaluation metrics in human factors studies involving advanced display technologies.
Impact of Whole-Body Vibrations on Electrovibration Perception Varies with Target Stimulus Duration
By Jan D. A. Vuik, Daan M. Pool, Celal Umut Kenanoglu, Yasemin Vardar
Electrovibration offers haptic feedback when moving the finger on a touchscreen. It induces electrostatic forces between the finger and the touchscreen, such that the user perceives a "friction force" when dragging the finger on the screen. In this study, the authors tested electrovibration touchscreens under aircraft turbulence in a full flight simulator. They found that longer electrovibration signals were perceived more easily, but turbulence affected the perception as the finger loses contact with the screen.
Quantifying the Impact of Spatial Disorientation on Pilot Mental Workload and Attentional Focus
By Fleur W. Evertsen, Annemarie Landman, Eric L. Groen, Mark M. J. Houben, M. M. (René) van Paassen, Olaf Stroosma and Max Mulder
14 military helicopter pilots underwent 6 flight scenarios with spatial disorientation in a motion-base simulator with virtual reality (VR) headset. The main results found that out of the 6 scenarios, the featureless terrain, the leans, and the brownout showed clear detrimental effects on pilots' performance, whereas the featureless terrain, brownout, and false horizon affected gaze behavior. Night vision goggles and somatogyral yaw stimuli did not create spatial disorientation.
In the News
By Srishti Rawal & Philippe Doyon-Poulin
Aviation
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Gulfstream G800 Wins FAA and EASA Certification. Gulfstream's longest-range business jet, the G800, has received type certification from both the FAA and EASA. The jet surpassed expectations, achieving a range of 8,200 nm at Mach 0.85 and a top speed of Mach 0.935. Shorter-than-expected takeoff and landing distances improve airport access. Gulfstream highlights the aircraft's performance and efficiency as key milestones in their next-gen fleet strategy.
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Republic Airways and Mesa Air Group to Combine, Creating America's Regional Airline of Choice. Republic Airways and Mesa Air Group will merge to form a major regional carrier under the Republic Airways name, with a combined fleet of over 300 E-Jets and more than 1,250 daily flights. The all-stock deal strengthens financial standing, expands network reach, and preserves partnerships with major airlines. The merger is expected to close by late 2025, pending approvals.
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Garmin advances strategy on next-gen large airplane flight deck. This piece by the Air Current provides a forward-looking view on the upcoming G5000 Prime avionics that would come in direct competition with Honeywell, Collins and Thales for Part 25 aircraft.
Safety
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Pilot reports of laser strikes reached 12,840 last year in the U.S., a 3% decline from 2023 but a number that the FAA still calls "dangerously high." The FAA has developed multiple online and other resources on this topic, including a visualization tool that depicts current-year incidents (More than 2800 incidents in 2025 as time of writing), daily average occurrences (>31), and the time when the incident occurred (>88% in the PM). IFALPA prepared a leaflet explaining the effects of laser attacks on pilots.
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NTSB introduces a new online portal for accident reports. Pilots can now submit data in support of aviation accidents and incidents (i.e., Form 6120.1) from their phone or computer, as opposed to filling the lengthy PDF emailing it to the organization. The NTSB receives about 1,000 of these reports each year. The online submission can be saved and modified before submitting it, and pilots can verify its status directly on the NTSB website.
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NTSB Finds Issues with Boeing Evacuation Slides. Following the gearless landing of Fedex flight 1376 on October 4, 2023, the crew of the Boeing 757 was unable to open the left door and opened the right door using force, at which point the evacuation slide deployed normally. The NSTB investigation found discrepancies between the bannis latch installed on the vehicle and the required configuration (the bannis latch releases the slide pack when an armed door is opened). There were also inconsistent depictions of the bannis latch configuration in the aircraft maintenance manuals.
Defence
Space
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Srishti Rawal
Graduate student in cognitive engineering
Department of Industrial Engineering
Polytechnique Montreal
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