Comparing Mixed Reality and Screen-Based Flight Simulators Under Varying Cognitive Load

Abstract

This paper examines how mixed reality (MR) and screen-based flight simulators affect user performance and experience under varying cognitive load. In a controlled study with 24 participants, we compared MR and screen-based simulation under low and high cognitive load using three concurrent tasks: an n-back task, a reaction-time task, and flight-status questions. Results showed that MR significantly increased perceived presence, while the screen-based simulator produced higher n-back success rates. We found no significant modality differences in reaction time or error rate. These findings suggest that increased presence does not necessarily improve performance, and that the benefits of MR flight simulation may depend on whether tasks make use of its spatial and embodied affordances.