Personal Computer Aviation Training Devices: Their Effectiveness for Maintaining Instrument Currency

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of personal computer aviation training devices (PCATDs) for maintaining the Federal Aviation Administration's instrument-currency requirement. One hundred and six instrument-current pilots received an instrument proficiency check (IPC) and were assigned equally to 3 independent training groups (aircraft, flight training device [FTD], and PCATD) and to a control group who received no training. The 3 training groups received recurrent training in their respective devices over the course of a 6-month period, following which all 4 groups received a second IPC. Pilots trained in the FTD and PCATD performed (a) comparably; (b) significantly better than the control group, indicating positive transfer of training; and (c) at least as well as the aircraft group.