University of Waterloo study finds female pilots outperform their male counterparts under pressure
A new study from researchers at the University of Waterloo is challenging the gender biases in aviation.
Using eye-tracking technology and a high-fidelity flight simulator, the study found that female pilots performed better under pressure when put in a mock-emergency situation.
Ten men and ten women participated in the study, and all were general aviation pilots with the same experience. Researchers recorded where each participant looked and how they responded.
'We have data that challenges traditional assumptions in aviation these days, and that's kind of groundbreaking to have this evidence to support the fact that women belong in this industry,' said Naila Ayala, lead author of the UW study.
She said the women appeared to be better at keeping control and making decisions in stressful flight situations.
In one scenario, participants had to complete standard flight tasks but with a twist – unexpected and total engine failure.
'Female participants were able to manage that much better in these high stress scenarios versus those male pilots who ended up having a little bit more error, with respect to things like the airspeed they're trying to control, while coming down from engine failure and safely landing the plane,' Ayala said.
The simulator definitely put participants in the hot seat.
'They had to identify the emergency, understand where they were located with respect to the runway or the closest field they could possibly land, and then maneuver the plane to said space where they could land the plane and let the air traffic controllers know that there was a mayday and there's an emergency onboard,' explained Ayala.
Aviation student Preksha Shah was one of the study participants. She said she didn't feel too stressed when the engine suddenly failed in the simulation.
'I was immediately like, 'Okay, we had an engine failure, and the runway is right there. Now I just need to land.''
Shah said she always wanted to be a pilot. Her goal is to one day be a commercial pilot.
'For me personally, I'm an adrenaline junkie, so I love flying,' she explained. 'And it's also just really cool.'
The study highlighted the importance of looking beyond surface-level indicators when measuring pilot performance.
Especially since the aviation field has long been dominated by men.
'Only six or seven per cent of airline pilots are women,' said Suzanne Kearns, an aviation professor and founder of the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics. 'That's a tremendous challenge when you think about there not being enough pilots in the system and how do we attract and retain the workforce to support the future.'
As for why female pilots did better in the study – the answer isn't clear cut.
'There's no clear tie to very distinct gender differences that have been shown in the neurocognitive research, just because it's too complex of a task to tie to one specific type of mental capability,' said Ayala.
The team hopes their findings will help shape what the industry looks like for all future pilots.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Kingston, Ont. hospital the first in Canada to use AI heart imaging technology
The Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) will be the first hospital in Canada to use artificial intelligence to diagnose coronary artery disease on CT scans, thanks to a $100,000 donation. The hospital in Kingston, Ont. is launching Heartflow, a 'revolutionary AI-based technology' that will allow radiologists and cardiologists to measure how the blood flows through a patient's coronary arteries, using a CT scan. 'This AI tool is a game changer for the way we triage patients,' Dr. Omar Islam, head of diagnostic radiology at Kingston Health Sciences Centre, said in a statement. 'Before, we had to send everyone with a possible significant blockage to the cardiovascular catheterization (cath) lab just to see if the flow was reduced. Now, we can do that non-invasively with Heartflow. If the flow is normal, the patient avoids an invasive procedure entirely. It helps our capacity in the cath lab and saves the health-care system money. From a patient perspective, it spares them a procedure they may not have needed.' Traditionally, many patients had to undergo cardiac catheterization, which is an invasive test that involves threading a wire into the arteries to measure blockages. The Kingston Health Sciences Centre says Heartflow can reduce unnecessary catheterizations by up to 30 per cent, as doctors can make the measurement directly from a CT scan. 'For patients living with chest pain and suspected coronary artery disease, Heartflow provides a safer, faster and more accurate diagnosis of low blood flow,' the hospital said in a media release. 'It also helps medical teams determine how severe a blockage in a patient's artery may be—without having to undergo an invasive procedure. Heartflow will be fully operational at the hospital this month. Officials credit a $100,000 donation from local donor Stephen Sorensen for allowing the hospital to launch the technology. 'Thanks to Stephen Sorensen's visionary support, KHSC is able to invest in state-of-the-art technology that is improving care for our patients,' says KHSC CEO Dr. David Pichora. 'His belief in the power of innovation, particularly in the field of medical imaging, is creating a healthier future for our patients—and we are grateful for his remarkable leadership and generosity.' Sorensen added, 'I'm always looking for innovative tools that can have an immediate impact on patients' lives and Heartflow fits the bill.' The Kingston Health Sciences Centre is the first hospital in Canada to use the AI heart imaging technology.
National Post
4 hours ago
- National Post
SPEC Labs Announces Board Transitions to Support Next Phase of Expansion
Article content MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — SPEC Labs, a national provider of coworking wet lab facilities for Canada's life sciences sector, today announced the appointment of two new distinguished leaders, Abdullah Snobar and Bob Hill, to its Board of Directors. Article content Bob Hill brings decades of experience in life sciences, commercialization, and strategic operations. A seasoned executive and advisor, Bob's leadership has helped guide numerous early-stage life sciences companies through scale-up, regulatory navigation, and partnership growth. His strategic insight will support SPEC Labs as it expands its footprint and deepens its value to life sciences residents and partners across the region. Article content 'I am excited to join the Board of Directors of SPEC Labs and work with such a talented leadership group,' Article content said Bob Hill. Article content 'We have a vibrant life sciences sector in Canada and I am delighted to play a role in helping to address such a critical need for our ecosystem.' Article content Abdullah Snobar is the Executive Director of the DMZ at Toronto Metropolitan University, one of Canada's top startup incubators, and a nationally recognized leader in entrepreneurship and innovation policy. His expertise in ecosystem building, equity in innovation, and supporting high-growth startups aligns seamlessly with SPEC Labs' mission to empower the next generation of life sciences entrepreneurs. Article content 'Canada's life sciences sector needs bold infrastructure and bold vision. SPEC Labs is delivering both,' Article content said Abdullah Snobar. Article content 'I'm honoured to support its mission of helping emerging biotech founders scale breakthrough innovations right here at home.' Article content These appointments come at a pivotal moment as SPEC Labs prepares to open its flagship location in Mississauga, Ontario. The facility will serve as a launchpad for graduation-stage biotech and life sciences companies, providing critical lab infrastructure and a supportive commercialization environment. Article content 'Abdullah and Bob bring unique and highly complementary strengths to the Board,' Article content said Doris Qamar, CEO of SPEC Labs. Article content 'Abdullah's leadership in building high-performance Article content growth strategy as we expand across Canada.' At the same time, SPEC Labs is announcing the departure of two long-standing board members: Dr. Pamela Plant and Dr. Leyla Soleymani. Both played foundational roles in guiding SPEC Labs from its inception through to its current launch phase. Article content 'Pamela and Leyla have been instrumental to our success,' Article content said Doris Qamar. Article content guidance, energy, and belief in SPEC Labs' mission helped shape the organization into what it is today. We are deeply thankful for their contributions and wish them the very best in Article content their next chapters.' Article content As SPEC Labs moves forward, the expanded Board will help steer the organization through its first facility opening and national growth. The new appointments underscore SPEC Labs' commitment to strong governance, strategic partnerships, and mission-driven leadership in Canada's life sciences ecosystem. Article content SPEC Labs is a not-for-profit operator of coworking wet lab facilities purpose-built for Canada's graduation-stage life sciences companies. With a model inspired by global best practices, SPEC Labs provides flexible, affordable lab space and wraparound support to help emerging biotech ventures thrive. Article content Article content Article content
CBC
7 hours ago
- CBC
As deadly fungus spreads, Alberta turns to probiotics to save dwindling bat population
As a deadly fungus threatens to devastate bat colonies across Alberta, the provincial government is trying to save what's left of the population with a new probiotic treatment. Across two sites in southern Alberta, 18 bat houses have been sprayed with the probiotic cocktail, aimed at preventing white-nose syndrome — a disease that's killed millions of bats across North America. White-nose syndrome is caused by a fungus that invades the winged mammals' skin during hibernation, causing them to wake early and ultimately starve to death. "We think it's a big deal. It's the first time outside of B.C. and Washington, that Lower Mainland area, that this probiotic's been used in North America," said Lisa Wilkinson, provincial bat specialist with Alberta Environment and Protected Areas. The treatment has been in the works for years by scientists at Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, McMaster University and Thompson Rivers University. It contains four bacterial strains, found in some bats' wings in western Canada, that have been shown to inhibit the disease-causing fungus. The freeze-dried probiotic cocktail is mixed with water and sprayed into bat houses when the animals are out foraging. When they return, their wings get coated with the treatment. The goal is that the fungus won't be able to penetrate their wing tissues and wake them up during hibernation. While it has been tested across 11 sites in B.C. and Washington, researchers behind the concoction say this is the first time it's actually being used as treatment. They say it was a good opportunity to expand their work, but also a necessary move after learning about the poor conditions of some bats in southern Alberta. White-nose syndrome in Alberta The fungus that causes white-nose syndrome was detected in Alberta for the first time in 2022, along the Red Deer River. By 2024, symptoms of the disease were confirmed in the province for the first time. Those symptoms became "very severe" by this spring, according to the coordinator of Alberta's bat program with Wildlife Conservation Society Canada. "Lots of bats had pretty sizeable holes in their wings. There was substantial evidence of this fungus invading their skin tissues. Under UV light where this fungus fluoresces, you could easily see that large portions of the bat body have been infected with this fungus," said Cory Olson. Olson said the bats were also weak and underweight, and it seemed very likely that those that survived through the winter wouldn't be able to raise offspring. "When animals can't raise offspring, that is inevitably going to lead to population declines." There's already evidence that Alberta's bat populations are declining, Olson said. In 2023, his team counted over 2,000 bats at one specific site in the province. This year, they only found between 200 and 400 of them. Wilkinson has found similar trends in other areas in southeastern Alberta as well. But she cautions that bats do move around and are notoriously difficult to monitor, especially because no one knows where they hibernate. Bats spreading the probiotics There is also a vaccine being developed in the U.S. to combat white-nose syndrome. Cori Lausen, director of bat conservation with the Wildlife Conservation Society of Canada, said the U.S. treatment sounds promising. But she said there is one thing that could put the probiotic ahead of a vaccine. Researchers have noticed some probiotics showing up in their control sites, where they deliberately do not apply the probiotics, she said. "We didn't know if the bats would actually spread the probiotic amongst themselves, and it turns out, it looks like they are," said Lausen, who's been leading this work across the country. "That's actually very good news…. We may not know about some of the other colonies in the area, and they might also be benefiting." Lausen stresses they made sure not to introduce anything novel to the bats' environment that could put them at risk down the road. Biologists sent wing swabs from southern Alberta bats to a lab at McMaster University to ensure the bacteria was already found here. 'No silver bullet' The team will head back to the sites next spring to see how the bats survive the winter and whether the white-nose syndrome has improved. They'll also catch bats, swab their wings and test how much more of the beneficial bacteria they're finding. Wilkinson, with Alberta Environment, hopes to spray the treatment in other areas next year, too. "There's no silver bullet. We're not going to get rid of it. It's basically giving the bats a helping hand," she said.
