Supporting Pilot Decision-Making in In-Flight Cyber Incidents: A Human-Centered Safety Framework


Authors : Imane Ouchen; Mohammed Ben Abdellah

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 2 - February


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/567natbb

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/47abt2tp

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26feb495

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : As aircraft systems become increasingly interconnected, cybersecurity has emerged as a critical challenge for aviation safety. While extensive technical and organizational measures protect aeronautical systems, limited attention has been paid to the operational role of pilots when cyber threats occur during flight. Existing training programs emphasize conventional failures and provide limited guidance for managing cyber-related anomalies. This paper proposes a two-step, human-centered decision-support framework designed to assist pilots in managing inflight cyber incidents. The approach combines a large language model capable of interpreting natural language descriptions of anomalies with a structured, flowchart-based decision process aligned with aviation procedures. The objective is to support, rather than automate, pilot decision-making under high cognitive workload. Qualitative results from scenario-based simulations with professional pilots indicate improvements in threat identification, decision consistency, and crew coordination. The findings highlight the importance of integrating cybersecurity into pilot training and operational decisionmaking to enhance human resilience in increasingly digital aviation environments.

Keywords : Aviation Cybersecurity; Human Factors; Decision Support Systems; Crew Resource Management; In-Flight Cyber Incidents; Safety-Critical Systems.

References :

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As aircraft systems become increasingly interconnected, cybersecurity has emerged as a critical challenge for aviation safety. While extensive technical and organizational measures protect aeronautical systems, limited attention has been paid to the operational role of pilots when cyber threats occur during flight. Existing training programs emphasize conventional failures and provide limited guidance for managing cyber-related anomalies. This paper proposes a two-step, human-centered decision-support framework designed to assist pilots in managing inflight cyber incidents. The approach combines a large language model capable of interpreting natural language descriptions of anomalies with a structured, flowchart-based decision process aligned with aviation procedures. The objective is to support, rather than automate, pilot decision-making under high cognitive workload. Qualitative results from scenario-based simulations with professional pilots indicate improvements in threat identification, decision consistency, and crew coordination. The findings highlight the importance of integrating cybersecurity into pilot training and operational decisionmaking to enhance human resilience in increasingly digital aviation environments.

Keywords : Aviation Cybersecurity; Human Factors; Decision Support Systems; Crew Resource Management; In-Flight Cyber Incidents; Safety-Critical Systems.

Paper Submission Last Date
28 - February - 2026

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