Monitoring automated displays: Effects of and solutions for boredom

The present paper has provided information about the potential physiological and psychological dangers of allowing boredom states to exist in the flight environment. Pilots need to maintain high levels of alertness and awareness as they operate and monitor critical flight systems. The paper discussed use of biofeedback training as a means for enhancing alertness in flightcrews. Biofeedback has already shown promise in increasing performance in monitoring tasks, and in actual operation of computerized displays. In the future biofeedback has the potential for becoming a mainstream accessory in cockpit display systems.