The purpose of the present study was to analyse the effects of informa
tion complexity on Pilot Mental Workload (PMWL) and Pilot Performance
(PP), and to analyse the structure of PMWL. Eighteen pilots performed
72 simulated low level-high speed emissions. The complexity of the Hea
d Down Display (HDD) information varied as a function of the tactical
situation. Flight data were recorded continuously. The pilots' eye mov
ements were video taped and psychophysiological activation data, Heart
Rate (HR), were obtained. The pilots rated PMWL according to the psyc
hological content of three scales (Bedford Rating Scale, Subjective Wo
rkload Assessment Technique, NASA-Task Load indeX) and answered a ques
tionnaire tapping aspects of performance, information load, motivation
and mood. It was found that even a moderate complexity of information
interfered with the flight task. Altitude and variation in altitude w
ere increased and corrections of altitude errors were delayed, when co
mplexity increased. Changes in information load reached its maximum in
fluence on flight performance (r = 0.60, p < 0.001) after a time delay
of 20 to 40 seconds. Performance of the flight task correlated positi
vely (r = 0.59,p < 0.001) with the performance of the information hand
ling task (Tactical Situation Awareness, TSA). Durations and frequenci
es of eye fixations Head Up (HU) versus Head Down (HD) changed as a fu
nction of information load. A structural equation model implied that P
MWL was affected by mission complexity and that PMWL affected objectiv
e and subjective aspects of flight performance and information handlin
g. Heart rate (sortie means) correlated positively with PMWL (r = 0.34
, p < 0.05) and perceived complexity of mission (r = 0.37, p < 0.01).
Heart rate (running means) covaried with variations in information com
plexity for those pilots who performed well. From spectral analyses of
cardiac interval times it was found that the amplitude of the 0.10 Hz
component tended to decrease during high as compared to low levels of
information load.