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Traditional subjective pilot workload measures have stressed postflight questionnaires. An alternative method that is less dependent on memory was evaluated in two experiments. In the first study, pilots and nonpilots made workload evaluations each minute during a critical tracking task. Results indicate that their responses were directly related to the experimentally controlled difficulty level, whereas posltask questionnaire responses were much less accurate. In a second study, the workload assessment device was introduced into the cockpit of a general aviation cockpit simulator, to detennine if pilots could differentiate between three flights in which the level of difficulty varied. It was found that pilot workload judgments and response latencies were related to the experimentally induced difficulty level. As hypothesized, the more difficult flights generated higher mean workload responses and longer latencies.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Astronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have partnered their research efforts through the Interagency Air Traffic Management Integrated Product Team (IAIPT). The IAIPT's mission is to integrate research addressing air traffic control (ATC) and Air Traffic Management (ATM) decision support tools, concepts, and procedures. As a crosscutting area, integrating human factors research intends to systematically identify and coordinate research and acquisition efforts in developing and assessing advanced ATM and communication, navigation and surveillance (CNS) capabilities relative to human performance limitations and capabilities.

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Phases of concept exploration and development in air traffic control research are coordinated between the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration using Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). Objectives, outputs, and exit criteria for these TRLs tend to be defined at a higher level. More detailed human factors guidance was developed using a small cadre of human factors practitioners and researchers who assessed the relevance of twenty-three human factors issues for each TRL. Results showed increasing importance for the highest rated issues as a research capability matures across the TRLs, and an increasing number of issues are important at the higher TRLs. The findings argue for early involvement of human factors at lower TRLs, and that implementing offices should engage with researchers earlier than currently prescribed.