Basic Piloting Technique Error Rate as an Indicator of Flight Simulators Usability for Pilot Training

Abstract

Flight simulator utilization for basic types of pilot training is restricted by regulations. Flight simulators could contribute to improvements of training quality, especially for initial training to obtain pilot license and, last but not least, to increase flight safety. The goal of this study was to evaluate flight simulator usability for basic piloting technique training. For this purpose, piloting error rate for 35 subjects was evaluated. Within prescribed, continuous flight simulator training consisting of 11 flight hours, progress in piloting precision was monitored during four different manoeuvers. The paper further evaluates influence of the transition between simulated and real flights with regard to progress or regress of executed manoeuvers precision. The results indicate, that during basic pilot techniques training on flight simulator, continuous and statistically significant decrease of error rate during standard manoeuvers execution is achieved. For acquisition of the habits related to mastering basic piloting techniques, the current possibility to use 5 training hours on flight simulator is insufficient. Habits acquisition is noticeable first during 11th flight simulator hour. The study also indicates that the acquired flight simulator habits related to piloting precision applying basic piloting techniques are not observable during the transition to real flights.