Pilot Visual Attention Allocation in Green Towing Departure Operations: A Simulation Study Based on the Conditions of Beijing Daxing International Airport

Green towing departure represents a significant approach towards achieving green civil aviation, offering greater efficiency and environmental benefits compared to traditional departure methods. To accurately predict pilots’ visual attention allocation during towing departure and ensure safe operations, this paper proposes a predictive model based on information expectancy and an enhanced information value function. To validate the model, an instrument monitoring experiment was conducted with 14 participants under varying task weights and information presentation formats in a towing-departure context. Gaze-point distribution was recorded as an indicator of attention allocation. Participants monitor target information displayed on a simulated Head-Up Display (HUD) interface and respond to anomalies by pressing designated keys. The experimental results indicate that there is a significant correlation and good agreement between the theoretical values of attention allocation calculated using the proposed model and the actual gaze point distributions observed in the experiment. These findings provide a basis for the design of aircraft cockpit display interfaces.