Meet an AEP

The Aerospace Experimental Psychology community is comprised of subject matters experts from various domains of study and experience, each with the unified goal of applying science while in the service of our country. Each member of our community contributes their distinct skills, talents, knowledge, and backgrounds to resolving challenges in naval aviation and the fleet. Below are some responses from our members regarding frequently asked questions.

LT Sarah Beadle

AEP #164

Background: PhD in Human Factors Psychology

Winged: Feb 11th, 2022

Current Assignment: NAWCAD Human Systems Engineering Department, Patuxent River, Maryland

What made you interested in pursuing a Doctoral degree in Human Factors?

I chose a degree in human factors for its inherently applied nature. When I was in college, I got the liberal arts training that every problem is interdisciplinary in nature and it benefits to be on a collaborative team. I chose Clemson as a program because it was required that I take classes outside of psychology- in fields like industrial engineering and human-centered computing, to be well-rounded. To me, human factors is psychology at it’s most challenging- how people interact with new technology and how fields like aviation employ psychology.

How did you learn about the AEP Community?

I have the privilege of being an AEP who got to be trained by an AEP. At Clemson, I worked under Dr. Eric Muth (AEP #109). Eric spent a lot of time talking about how the Navy shaped his career and approach to science. Due to the nature of our research, I read the work of many AEPs, and was particularly molded by the work of CDR Bob Kennedy (AEP #10) studying simulator sickness and motion sickness. As I progressed in my graduate degree, I met more and more active duty and civilian Department of Defense scientists and started to see why they chose to combine science and military service. As I was finishing up my degree, I was funded on a Small Business Innovation Research project with the Naval Survival Training Institute examining flight simulation as a way to modernize teaching about spatial disorientation and mishaps. That project taught me a lot about government research, but mostly how foreign I was to aviation. I realized that if I wanted to keep in this line of work, the exposure to aviation was something I needed to pursue.

What was the most challenging part of AEP training for you?

I found that I had to get comfortable with being uncomfortable during water survival training! The training is physically and mentally tough, and was my first big exposure to high-risk training. I really didn’t like staying underwater or treading water with gear on, so I had to get over that before I got to the infamous Helo Dunker. The confidence gained in the pre-flight phases of flight school certainly helped me keep a level head in the months that followed.

What was your most memorable moment of AEP training?

I loved doing aerobatics in the T-6A. I was so nervous my first flight because I had never flown in anything other than a commercial aircraft and then was suddenly in the front seat of an ejection seat turboprop. Experiencing G-forces and being upside down in an aircraft for the first time is unforgettable. Luckily, the fears I had about experiencing airsickness based on my research background didn’t come into play!

LT Alexandra Kaplan

AEP #165

Background: PhD in Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology

Winged: Feb 11th, 2022

Current Assignment: Naval Medical Research Unit, Dayton, Ohio

What made you interested in pursuing a Doctoral degree in Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology?

My undergraduate degree was in Psychology, and I had some (non-academic) experience with computer science. One day, I decided to see whether there was a job that combined both of my interests, so I googled Psychology & Computer Science. That lead me to the University of Central Florida’s Applied Experimental and Human Factors Psychology program. I interviewed there, where I met my mentor Dr. Peter Hancock. I decided that I wanted to apply psychology to solving usability issues.

How did you learn about the AEP Community?

I was at the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society annual conference, and I saw some people in uniforms. A lot of human factors research is in support of the DoD, but prior to that conference I didn’t know I could both serve as Active Duty and conduct my research! After meeting a few AEPs I immediately started the application process.

What was the most challenging part of AEP training for you?

The Helo-Dunker was by far the hardest part of training. That was an egress trainer meant to prepare you to escape from a submerged, inverted helicopter. I had to go in “The Dunker” five times, in five different seats. Each run was probably less than 30 seconds, but those 2.5 minutes were harder than anything else we did! Luckily, I went through it with another student AEP.

What was your most memorable moment of AEP training?

My first time flying was the most memorable. I had spent months in NIFE and ground school, I had practiced in simulators, and I had endured The Dunker—all in preparation for that first flight. It was worth it!