COGNITION AND FLIGHT PERFORMANCE IN OLDER PILOTS

The authors reviewed studies of cognitive proficiency and flight perfo rmance. Age-group differences were found in pilots in perceptual-motor skills and memory and, to a lesser extent, in attention and problem s olving. Flight experience does not alter this age-related decline, wit h the possible exception of the metacognitive skill of time sharing. A ge-group differences in flight performance are most evident in the sec ondary task of air traffic control communications. Age-related differe nces in current measures of pilot cognition are minimally predictive o f primary measures of flight performance (flight simulation and accide nt rates). A model of cognition and flight performance is proposed inv olving higher order factors that tap into pilot knowledge structure, i ncluding mental workload and workload management, mental models, and s ituation awareness.