Date of Award

Spring 2025

Embargo Period

5-6-2026

Access Type

Dissertation - Open Access

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Human Factors

Department

Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology

Committee Chair

Alex Chaparro

Committee Chair Email

chapara3@erau.edu

First Committee Member

Barbara S. Chaparro

First Committee Member Email

Barbara.Chaparro@erau.edu

Second Committee Member

Shawn Michael Doherty

Second Committee Member Email

Shawn.Doherty@erau.edu

Third Committee Member

James R. Gibson

Third Committee Member Email

James.Gibson@erau.edu

Fourth Committee Member

Michael Bohan

College Dean

Peter M. Hoffmann

Abstract

Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft introduce unique movement dimensions beyond traditional fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft, requiring novel control interfaces for pilot operation. This study examines the compatibility of gesture-based control movements across participants with varying flight experience levels. This study included a total of 60 participants across four groups; novices (no real or virtual flight experience, n=30), flight simulator gamers (n=10), fixed-wing pilots (n=10), and rotor-wing pilots (n=10). Participants viewed eighteen simulated first-person eVTOL aircraft movements (e.g. pitch, roll, yaw, heave, translations) assessing their intuitive gesture inputs for the different aircraft motions. Additionally, they were asked to sketch their envisioned cockpit control layouts. Participants were not told the type of aircraft the videos simulated. Their gestures and verbal explanations were recorded for analysis. Two independent raters categorized similar gestures the participants performed based on the body part moved (e.g. hand, foot), direction of movement (forward, backward, left, right), and the type of movement (tilt, twist, pull, push) for each aircraft movement. Inter-rater reliability (Cohen’s kappa) for rater groupings were high and indicated substantial agreement between the raters. Dominant gesture movements for each participant group were identified across the 18 aircraft maneuvers using rater groupings. Results indicate that prior flight experience influences gesture compatibility. Rotor-wing pilots, fixed-wing pilots, and flight simulator gamers performed gesture motions similar to their experience and knowledge, while novices drew inspiration from driving cars and piloting they’ve seen through movies and tv-shows (e.g. Top Gun). The imagined sketched concepts varied between rotor-wing centric (cyclic, collective, pedals), fixed-wing centric (yoke, throttle, pedals), and hybrid control schemes blending conventional and novel inputs. The findings of this study highlight considerations needed to tailor eVTOL pilot controls depending on the target pilot population and movement compatibility considerations.

Additional Files
GS9_S patel-signed.pdf (51 kB)
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