We're looking for non-instrumented rated pilots in the DC area to participate in an upcoming simulation study. This particular study will take about 2 hours and pays $150. If you're interested, you can contact us at studies@mitre.org. Full details below.
The MITRE Corporation (MITRE) is a not-for-profit organization that operates federally funded research and development centers, including the Federal Aviation Administration’s Center for Advanced Aviation System Development, or CAASD. Equipped with multiple flight simulation cockpits, as well as en route, terminal, and tower simulation capabilities, CAASD regularly conducts human-in-the-loop simulations to evaluate new technologies and procedures.
Background: Spatial Disorientation (SD) is a leading cause of General Aviation accidents, and 90% of accidents involving SD are fatal. MITRE is evaluating an application that advises the pilot of potential spatial disorientation induced by vestibular illusions. During this evaluation, we will ask pilots to assess whether the alerts provided by the application are likely to be useful when a pilot is disoriented.
MITRE is soliciting participation from pilots who are not instrumented rated and have flown at least 10 hours within the last 12 months (see next section for specific requirements). Approximately 2 hours of time is requested from each participant. MITRE will conduct the simulation in the Aviation Integration Demonstration and Experimentation for Aeronautics Laboratory (IDEA Lab) located in McLean, Virginia.
To participate you must:
•Be a Recreational, Sport, Private Pilot, or Commercial pilot and NOT have an instrument rating
•Have logged at least 10 hours of flight time in the past 12 months.
•Have logged at least 10 hours in a C172 or C150/152.
•Have experience using an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) for example Garmin Pilot, Foreflight, etc.
•Be located within the greater DC Metro area and able to commute in a personal vehicle to the MITRE McLean, VA location.
Schedule: Slots are available weekdays from March 28th to April 1st. Reservation for participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be three slots per weekday:
•9a - 11p
•12p - 2p
•3p - 5p
General Information: At the beginning of the session, you will receive an orientation on the application and simulation environment. Hands-on training in the simulator will follow the orientation. After training, pilot participants will complete 7 short scenarios. After each scenario and at the end of simulation, your feedback will be captured via questionnaires, discussions, and observations. There are no known risks or physical discomforts associated with this simulation beyond those of ordinary life.
COVID-19 Procedures:
Pilot participants will be required to follow MITRE’s COVID-19 safety protocols (please contact studies@mitre.org for any questions). For your protection, the following protocols will be in place during the in-person session:
•All visitors must bring a government-issued ID such as a driver’s license or passport to validate their identity.
•All visitors must show proof of vaccination with a CDC issued vaccination card or photo of the card and attest to compliance with health and safety protocols each time they enter a MITRE facility.
•No participants or researchers will be permitted to enter the MITRE facility if they exhibit any COVID-19 systems or have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 5 days.
•Masks are encouraged, but not required.
•The simulation environment (i.e., the flight deck simulator, desks and chairs in the briefing room, and any additional equipment used by the participant or researcher) will be sanitized at the end of each day.
•Hand sanitizer will be provided and will be used whenever leaving or entering the IDEA Lab.
Limitations: Due to contractual limitations, MITRE is not allowed to provide compensation to current Government employees at any level, including Federal, State, or Local. This includes active-duty military, reservists, and National Guardsmen – even when not on duty. If you fall into this category, we will not be able to schedule you as a participant for this study. Due to COVID-19, MITRE requires participants be located within the greater DC Metro area and able to commute in a personal vehicle to the MITRE McLean, VA location. Please contact us if you have any questions about these restrictions.
Confidentiality: The data collected during this study is aggregated and de-identified prior to analysis and reporting. You will not be identifiable by name in any publications based on this study.
Location: MITRE's simulation facility is in McLean, Virginia (suburban Washington, D.C.). 7515 Colshire Drive, McLean, VA 22102. (http://www.mitre.org/sites/default/files/pdf/mclean-campus-map.pdf)
Compensation: MITRE will provide $150 compensation if you complete the study. If you unexpectedly must end early, compensation will be prorated based on the hours completed.
If you are interested in participating, please contact MITRE at: studies@mitre.org
Thank you for your interest.
The MITRE Corporation (MITRE) is a not-for-profit organization that operates federally funded research and development centers, including the Federal Aviation Administration’s Center for Advanced Aviation System Development, or CAASD. Equipped with multiple flight simulation cockpits, as well as en route, terminal, and tower simulation capabilities, CAASD regularly conducts human-in-the-loop simulations to evaluate new technologies and procedures.
Background: Spatial Disorientation (SD) is a leading cause of General Aviation accidents, and 90% of accidents involving SD are fatal. MITRE is evaluating an application that advises the pilot of potential spatial disorientation induced by vestibular illusions. During this evaluation, we will ask pilots to assess whether the alerts provided by the application are likely to be useful when a pilot is disoriented.
MITRE is soliciting participation from pilots who are not instrumented rated and have flown at least 10 hours within the last 12 months (see next section for specific requirements). Approximately 2 hours of time is requested from each participant. MITRE will conduct the simulation in the Aviation Integration Demonstration and Experimentation for Aeronautics Laboratory (IDEA Lab) located in McLean, Virginia.
To participate you must:
•Be a Recreational, Sport, Private Pilot, or Commercial pilot and NOT have an instrument rating
•Have logged at least 10 hours of flight time in the past 12 months.
•Have logged at least 10 hours in a C172 or C150/152.
•Have experience using an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) for example Garmin Pilot, Foreflight, etc.
•Be located within the greater DC Metro area and able to commute in a personal vehicle to the MITRE McLean, VA location.
Schedule: Slots are available weekdays from March 28th to April 1st. Reservation for participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be three slots per weekday:
•9a - 11p
•12p - 2p
•3p - 5p
General Information: At the beginning of the session, you will receive an orientation on the application and simulation environment. Hands-on training in the simulator will follow the orientation. After training, pilot participants will complete 7 short scenarios. After each scenario and at the end of simulation, your feedback will be captured via questionnaires, discussions, and observations. There are no known risks or physical discomforts associated with this simulation beyond those of ordinary life.
COVID-19 Procedures:
Pilot participants will be required to follow MITRE’s COVID-19 safety protocols (please contact studies@mitre.org for any questions). For your protection, the following protocols will be in place during the in-person session:
•All visitors must bring a government-issued ID such as a driver’s license or passport to validate their identity.
•All visitors must show proof of vaccination with a CDC issued vaccination card or photo of the card and attest to compliance with health and safety protocols each time they enter a MITRE facility.
•No participants or researchers will be permitted to enter the MITRE facility if they exhibit any COVID-19 systems or have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 5 days.
•Masks are encouraged, but not required.
•The simulation environment (i.e., the flight deck simulator, desks and chairs in the briefing room, and any additional equipment used by the participant or researcher) will be sanitized at the end of each day.
•Hand sanitizer will be provided and will be used whenever leaving or entering the IDEA Lab.
Limitations: Due to contractual limitations, MITRE is not allowed to provide compensation to current Government employees at any level, including Federal, State, or Local. This includes active-duty military, reservists, and National Guardsmen – even when not on duty. If you fall into this category, we will not be able to schedule you as a participant for this study. Due to COVID-19, MITRE requires participants be located within the greater DC Metro area and able to commute in a personal vehicle to the MITRE McLean, VA location. Please contact us if you have any questions about these restrictions.
Confidentiality: The data collected during this study is aggregated and de-identified prior to analysis and reporting. You will not be identifiable by name in any publications based on this study.
Location: MITRE's simulation facility is in McLean, Virginia (suburban Washington, D.C.). 7515 Colshire Drive, McLean, VA 22102. (http://www.mitre.org/sites/default/files/pdf/mclean-campus-map.pdf)
Compensation: MITRE will provide $150 compensation if you complete the study. If you unexpectedly must end early, compensation will be prorated based on the hours completed.
If you are interested in participating, please contact MITRE at: studies@mitre.org
Thank you for your interest.
