Strategies to manage human factors in mixed reality helicopter pilot training: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Mixed reality (MR) head-mounted displays (HMDs) may offer a cost-efficient, immersive alternative to conventional flight simulation displays, but cybersickness, visual fatigue, and ergonomic strain may impair performance and training effectiveness in safety-critical aviation. Methods: We conducted a PRISMA-based systematic review of 80 sources on human factors associated with MR/virtual reality (VR) HMD use in pilot training and analogous safety-critical simulations. Drivers and mitigation strategies were organized into a dual-taxonomy, with strategies classified as hardware, software, ergonomic, physiological, or psychological. Viability was assessed against operational needs and aviation authority expectations. Results: Cybersickness, visual strain, musculoskeletal fatigue, and sensory conflict were the most consistently reported issues. Strategies that preserved simulator fidelity, including high-quality HMD selection, calibration, ergonomic setup, and structured onboarding, appeared more operationally suitable than techniques that reduced realism or visual continuity, such as field-of-view restriction. Risk-of-bias appraisal identified recurring limitations, including convenience sampling, heterogeneous designs, and limited preregistration, which reduced confidence in generalizability. Discussion: Human factors remain a major barrier to MR HMD adoption in pilot training, while operational and regulatory constraints determine which mitigations are feasible. Although the evidence is largely VR-derived, many findings may transfer to MR because both technologies share perceptual and ergonomic mechanisms. The review offers practical guidance for improving comfort and safety without compromising simulator fidelity.