Cognitive Framework for Aircraft Piloting: A Core Cognition Set

Abstract

Human factors remain the predominant contributors to aviation accidents, yet the cognitive foundations of pilot performance have not been systematically defined. Existing cognitive frameworks inadequately represent the complex, high-demand environment of flight operations. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify a core cognition set for piloting, defined as the minimal group of cognitive modules most consistently related to flight performance, and to examine how these modules are affected by aviation-specific risk factors. A total of 93 studies were included in this review. Of these, 31 reported quantitative associations between cognitive performance and flight outcomes. A three-level mixed-effects meta-regression model was applied to estimate pooled effect sizes for each cognitive module. Meanwhile, 74 studies examined the influence of aviation factors such as fatigue, hypoxia, gravitational load, and aging. Meta-analytic findings indicated four cognitive modules (Perception, Working Memory, Multitasking Flexibility, and Psychomotor) as showing the strongest and most reliable associations with flight performance (Fisher’s z = 0.356–0.440, p < 0.001). The narrative synthesis corroborated that these four modules were most sensitive to operational and physiological risks such as fatigue, sleep deprivation, hypoxia, and aging. Working memory and cognitive flexibility consistently emerged as the earliest indicators of cognitive deterioration.