Implementation of an Automated Voice-Checklist in General Aviation Aircraft

This paper explores the use of a voice assistant checklist that verbally communicates information found in the pilot’s operating manual in order to decrease mental strain and workload. A significant proportion of general aviation accidents can be attributed to inexperience and the high workload environment that is imposed on single pilot operations. In this study, pilots and student pilots are placed in a human-in-the-loop evaluation which compares the voice checklist to a traditional physical checklist. Workload throughout the experiment is measured using pupilometry and a post-experiment TLX survey. Pilots are also evaluated on mission success, which is measured through flight characteristics, time to landing after the emergency, landing location, and proper diagnosis of the emergency. Evidence indicates that the voice checklist helped pilots accurately diagnose the emergency, but workload ratings are only marginally lower than those of the physical checklist; however, this may be attributed to the novelty of the voice checklist. This paper elaborates upon comparative evaluation with a paper checklist and discusses the benefits associated with the voice checklist.