Behavioral and psychophysiological responses of initial pilots in collaboration with an experienced but risky captain: A flight-simulation study based on the social facilitation

Abstract

Appropriate hierarchical rank and role assignment contribute to an optimal crew configuration in the cockpit. However, the impact of hierarchy on crew performance and flight safety, particularly when cooperating with a ‘risky’ captain under varying role assignments, remains underexplored. This study, under the social facilitation framework, examined how hierarchy and pilot role influence initial pilots’ behavioral and psychophysiological responses during flight-simulation experiments with 57 participants in a full-flight simulator. An experienced, pre-trained ‘risky’ captain collaborated with them during low-visibility approaches under varying crew configurations (single vs. dual) and role assignments (pilot flying vs. pilot monitoring). The results revealed that initial pilots not only followed the captain’s risky decisions but also continued landing without visual references in single-crew configurations, likely to demonstrate their competence. Pilot flying was associated with higher mental workload, while pilot monitoring resulted in increased stress and strong regulation. These findings support the social facilitation in hierarchical teams, offering insights into optimal crew configurations and providing a foundation for training protocols to enhance flight safety, especially for less experienced first officers.