The role of information feedback in aircrew training and its impact on the debriefing facilities

Abstract

In the few moments that I have, I would like to discuss in very general terms the role of information feedback in aircrew training and make the case that there is a need for improved computer-based debriefing aids. I am sure that there is little disagreement today that flight simulators offer a range of benefits. Such things as cost savings, reduced energy expenditure, safety and availability have been mentioned again and again. However, the most important benefit to be derived, namely training, is often-times overlooked. The assumption is often made that a good simulator, in terms of its fidelity, will lead to good training. While there are certainly examples of this, there are also cases of good simulators providing poor training because of improper utilisation, and cases of poor simulators providing very good training. The key appears to be in the proper utilisation of the simulator as a trainer, which in turn, is partially based on the simulators instructional features.