Introduction
Pilots of the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force operate under high pressure and in demanding conditions. The stress this entails can affect their performance, for example by slowing their reactions or reducing their situational awareness in the cockpit.
At the Centre for Man and Aviation (CML), pilots are trained to cope with stress. The aim is to enable them to perform as well as possible under all circumstances.
In collaboration with the CML, we are investigating whether a specific form of stress training can support this. The stress training is tested during multiple flights in a flight simulator, allowing us to realistically replicate cockpit conditions. This enables us to accurately measure the effect of stress training on flight performance.
Project overview
Objective:
To investigate the effectiveness of stress training for student pilots.
Target population:
This study focuses on potential pilots. Therefore, we are looking for participants who meet some of the same requirements as pilots. For example: aged 18–30 and holding at least a Dutch HAVO diploma (or equivalent).
Timeframe:
The study will start in October 2025 and end in December 2026.
Results:
The first results are expected in the summer of 2026.