Comparing Pilot Training Perfomance in Immersive and Non-Immersive Viirtual Environments

Abstract

This research investigated whether there was equal improvement for instrument pilot skill trained under an immersive virtual environment (IVE) versus a nonimmersive virtual environment (NIVE). In the IVE, sensory input to the human from external world is provided by head mounted displays, while NIVEs are represented by desktop displays. Subjects were tested in IVE and NIVE flight scenarios using three flying tasks—normal crosswind approach and landing (NCAL), go-around (GA) and constant speed during climbing and descending (CSCD). Error rate data were analyzed for four pilot control tasks. The results show that NIVE provides error rate reduction for training altitude control under NCAL and GA tasks, and vertical speed control for CSCD. No significant differences were observed for both NIVE and IVE for vertical speed control. IVE showed error rate decrements for the rest of the tasks.