Flight Training Program Research Articles

Performance-based acceptance and commitment training in a collegiate flight program

Students in flight training programs experience high levels of stress and anxiety that may impede their performance on practical exams. The restrictive nature of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and perceived negative consequences of seeking mental health treatment further exacerbates these challenges. This study examined the efficacy of performance-based acceptance and commitment training (ACT) in enhancing psychological flexibility, resilience, and mental well-being as well as improving FAA practical examination outcomes among collegiate flight training students. A randomized controlled trial was used to compare outcomes between students receiving a six-week ACT intervention (n = 23) and a control group (n = 27). The planned sample size of 100 was not achieved, thus, the analyses were underpowered and should be cautiously interpreted. Results indicate significant improvements among intervention participants in anxiety sensitivity (g = 0.43) and psychological flexibility (g = 0.58) compared to those in the control group. However, no significant differences in examination pass rates or time to completion were found between groups. To examine idiographic differences, individual change scores were plotted, demonstrating the heterogeneity of effects between participants. Potential explanations for the intervention's lack of effect on practical exam performance are discussed and suggestions are given to improve future performance-based interventions in this unique context.

Alterations in white matter fiber tracts and their correlation with flying cadet behavior.

An increasing number of studies have shown that flight training alters the human brain structure; however, most studies have focused on gray matter, and the exploration of white matter structure has been largely neglected. This study aimed to investigate the changes in white matter structure induced by flight training and estimate the correlation between such changes and psychomotor and flight performance. Diffusion tensor imaging data were obtained from 25 flying cadets and 24 general college students. Data were collected in 2019 and 2022 and analyzed using automated fiber quantification. This study found no significant changes in the flight group in 2019. However, in 2022, the flight group exhibited significant alterations in the diffusion tensor imaging of the right anterior thalamic radiation, left cingulum cingulate, bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus, and left arcuate fasciculus. These changes occurred within local nodes of the fiber tracts. In addition, we found that changes in fiber tracts in the 2022 flight group were correlated with the reaction time of the psychomotor test task and flight duration. These findings may help improve flight training programs and provide new ideas for the selection of excellent pilots.

German sport aviation as a reserve of military aviation in the inter-war period

Aviation as a new weapon emerged at the beginning of the 20th century. The event that influenced its development was the course of the First World War. It was not the decisive factor in determining the fate of the war, however, its dynamic development in the final stage of the war could indicate its great importance in the future. The development of military aviation was the domain of the military authorities. The popularisation campaign and the development of appropriate flight training programs were entrusted to the civilian authorities. The establishment of appropriate organisations was needed to effectively engage the public in cooperation. Sport aviation and gliding excelled in preparing young people for service in airborne combat units and transport aviation. Their development in Europe in the inter-war period proceeded in two ways. The first was the creation of organisations by administrative orders, which took place in Germany, Russia and Italy. The second was the skilful use of social initiatives linked to aviation interests, appropriately coordinated by the state and supported by subsidies, as was the case in England and France. The purpose of the establishment of these organisations and activities was to popularise and train aviation in the widest circles of society and to prepare it for a possible airborne threat.

Risk assessment method for controlled flight into terrain of airlines based on QAR data

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the risk of controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) for airlines and to develop a practical method for evaluating and predicting CFIT risk to ensure safe and efficient airline operations.Design/methodology/approachIn accordance with the monitoring project specification issued by the Flight Standards Department of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), a preliminary draft of evaluation indicators for CFIT risk was developed based on the literature review and semi-structured interviews. Fifteen aviation experts were then selected and invited to participate in a Delphi method to revise the draft. Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and entropy weight method were used to determine the combined weight of the indicators. The variable fuzzy set model and quick access recorder (QAR) data were applied to evaluate the CFIT risk of an airline from 2007 to 2018, and the classification results were compared with actual operational data.FindingsThe research findings reveal that the six most significant monitoring items affecting CFIT risk are incorrect configuration settings during landing, loss of altitude during climbing, ground proximity warning, G/S deviation, flap extension delay during landing and incorrect takeoff configuration. The CFIT risk of airlines has shown an increasing trend since 2015. The values in 2010, 2017 and 2018 were greater than 2 and less than 2.5, indicating that the CFIT risk is at Level 2, close to Level 3, and the risk is low but approaching medium.Practical implicationsUsing the combination weight determined by AHP and entropy weight method to rank the weight of 15 monitoring items, airlines can take necessary measures (simulator training, knowledge training) to reduce the occurrence of monitoring items with high weight to reduce CFIT risk. This risk assessment method can quantitatively evaluate the CFIT risk of airlines and provide theoretical guidance and technical support for airlines to formulate safety management measures and flight training programs, enabling the interconnection between QAR data and flight quality.Originality/valueThe proposed method in this study differs from traditional approaches by offering a quantitative assessment of CFIT risk for airlines and enabling the interconnection between QAR data and flight quality.

Predicting Flight Training Performance From the Tabular Speed Test

Abstract. This study determined the predictive validity for the number correct (COR) and the number wrong (WR) of a complex perceptual speed test at three milestones in a collegiate flight training program. Test–retest data were obtained at different intervals. COR predicted time to solo ( N = 119, r = −.15, p < .05) and time to the private pilot certificate ( N = 51, r = −.34, p < .01). WR did not correlate with any performance measure. Test–retest reliabilities averaged across 17 months were r = .604 for COR and r = .431 for WR, with p < .0001 for both. A factor analysis of the test–retest data demonstrated that WR and COR loaded on different factors, indicating that they assess different attributes.

Organizational Culture Impact on Safety Within a Collegiate-Level Flight Training Program

Organizational Culture Impact on Safety Within a Collegiate-Level Flight Training Program

Native Language Effects on Flight Training Performance

Several high-profile commercial aviation accidents in the past that were caused in part by inadequate English language proficiency confirmed the importance of clear and concise communication between air traffic controllers and pilots. Although the connection between English language proficiency and aviation safety has been well established, there has been very little research concerning the relationship between English language proficiency and flight training performance. Thousands of international students who are not native speakers of the English language come to the United States and Canada for ab initio flight training every year. While the ability to communicate with air traffic controllers is critical for the safety of flight, communication skills can also have a profound effect on flight training performance. International flight students not only must communicate with air traffic controllers, but they must also communicate with their flight instructors on the ground and in flight. In addition, they must also be able to read and understand textbooks, manuals, and check lists that are all written in the English language. This research is focused on the relationship between English language proficiency and performance in ab initio flight training programs.

The effect of a safety crisis on safety culture and safety climate: The resilience of a flight training organization during COVID-19

Flight training programs incur great risks as they instruct aspiring pilots to complete flight training and licensing procedures. It is instrumental for these programs to create strong safety cultures and climates to promote the highest level of safety possible. The COVID-19 pandemic raised many safety concerns across a variety of industries, especially the aviation industry. This study investigates the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on the safety culture and safety climate of the flight training organization at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). For this purpose, we collected longitudinal data for the years 2018 through 2021 including the variables of safety culture and safety climate. The results of this research suggest that various safety culture and safety climate variables were impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on these results, leadership of the flight training program was able to mitigate and adjust safety policies and procedures to improve the safety culture and climate and ensure continuous accident-free performance. Finally, the viability of these and other safety procedures for the safe management of future crises are discussed.

Usability Testing of a VR Flight Training Program

Virtual reality (VR) flight training programs are being developed as a low-cost, highly realistic training option and tested to ensure user expectations for skills mastery are met. A usability pilot study was conducted in two experimental courses comparing the training effectiveness of 2D and VR simulation for flight training at a university in the Southwestern United States. The results indicated that system usability was significantly higher in the VR group. There was no significant difference between groups for perceived workload nor user experience. Although both groups reported low symptoms of simulator sickness, users in the VR group reported significantly higher levels of eye strain. Both groups found the simulations to be enjoyable and several users stated that the simulations were beneficial for learning flight maneuvers. The results of the pilot study demonstrated that overall, VR simulation is similar to 2D simulation for flight training in terms of usability and user satisfaction.

Study on customized knowledge graph of student pilot learning in FITS training

Knowledge graphs are useful sources for various AI applications, however the basic paradigm to support pilot training is still unclear. In the paper, It is proposed to generate the customized knowledge graph of flight trainings using machine learning method for the flight training program. In order to provide the successful key to the further understanding of the learning problems between the students and the instructors. In this research, we collected data from an aeronautical academic in Taiwan that students were trained for Recreation Pilot License Program. We performed a test on 24 students at the first of each training course, 16 data of collected been used on building the module, 8 of them used to exam the module. There are 12 courses in the training program, and 30 hours total time were suggested by academic. The score which we applied on test were based on LCG method which is the sum of Maneuver and SRM Grades. For the indicators of course component in Learner Centered Grading, namely (a) CCS1: Operation & Effect of Controls; (b) CCS2: Straight & Level; (c) CCS3: Climbing & Descending; (d) CCS4: Turning; (e) CCS5: Stalling; (f) CCS6: Revision; (g) CCS7: Circuits; (h) CCS8: Cross-Wind Training; (i) CCS9: Circuit Emergency; (j) CCS10: Solo Circuit; (k) CCS11: Forced Landing; and (l) CCS12: Precautionary & Searching Landing. Through the method of Knowledge Graph, we deduct and predict the number of hours that need to be added for each student’s learning. Using the dynamic knowledge graph to display the key issues of the course learning continuously, and make follow-up decisions for the students, instructors and airliners.

Potential Augmented Reality Application Areas for Pilot Education: An Exploratory Study

The goal of carrying out this work was to identify potential application areas for augmented reality (AR) in pilot education by addressing gender preferences. Like the field of engineering, the aviation industry is dominated by men. Because the aviation industry forecasts a high demand for pilots, it is highly desirable to address gender diversity and improve teaching methods in pilot education. In this study, potential application areas for AR-supported pilot training were investigated by conducting a survey with 60 pilots and flight instructors (including 12 women). Typical AR use cases were presented in videos, and the pilots reported their preferences regarding similar or other AR applications used in different parts of the flight training program. AR navigation was the use case that was most frequently preferred by both female and male pilots. The majority of pilots agreed that AR could potentially be used in theoretical instruction, pre-flight aircraft inspection, and procedure training. In addition, both gender groups showed similar preferences for various gaming concepts that make learning more interesting and engaging, such as receiving positive feedback. However, a higher percentage of women than men reported that achieving a target or receiving points to successfully finish a task and answering questions during the game were satisfying. Including a story in the game to attract attention was preferred by a higher percentage of men than women. The results of this study can be used to design AR educational concepts that support gender diversity in pilot education and other technical domains.

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The purpose of this research is to investigate if there is a relationship between check ride performance and the time of day that these check rides occur. The population for this study was students in the flight training program at a midsized-midwestern university. The study utilized the results of more than 10,000 check rides, specifically examining the outcome with respect to time of day. A Chi Squared test yielded a significant finding for the data overall (χ²=363.910, df =2, n =10998, p <.001) indicating that there is a difference in the actual evaluation outcomes when compared to starting time versus the expected outcomes. Further study of chronotypes in aviation and specifically flight training was recommended.

The Effect of Public Law 111-216 on Collegiate Flight Programs: Perceptions of Aviation Faculty and Flight Center Personnel

In response to the 2009 Colgan 3407 airline crash and ensuing public concern, Public Law 111-216: The Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 was signed into law on August 1, 2010. This legislation mandated significant changes to the aviation and airline industries. Among these changes, an increase in pilot qualification standards was enforced for pilots seeking employment with US air carriers. This study explores the perceptions of aviation faculty members and flight center personnel at four-year collegiate flight training programs in the US regarding the effect of PL 111-216. Results of this national study indicate the majority of respondents believe PL 111-216 will have an adverse effect on collegiate aviation flight students, collegiate aviation flight training programs and the US air carrier industry. This study also revealed the perception that collegiate flight students will begin to pursue flight careers (non-US airline or corporate aviation) that are not directly impacted by PL 111-216.

Able Flight at Purdue University: Case Studies of Flight Training Strategies to Accommodate Student Pilots with Disabilities

This paper documents flight training strategies used to accommodate student pilots with disabilities in the Able Flight at Purdue program; this program benefits participants as well as the institutional sponsor and the aviation industry. All training aircraft, procedures, and operations are compliant with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, however, the program utilizes a tailored approach within the regulatory standards to meet the unique needs of each individual. The SHELL model (Software, Hardware, Environment and Liveware) is used as a theoretical framework to illustrate how flight training is adapted for individuals with limited dexterity or limited hearing. The Able Flight at Purdue program is explained, including the preparation before the students arrive on campus and the accelerated flight training program. Two case studies using the SHELL model illustrate training modifications for a pilot who uses a manual wheelchair and a Deaf pilot; both of these students successfully completed the program and earned an FAA Sport Pilot certificate. This Peer Review Practice paper also discusses the benefits of the program. There are direct benefits to the individual participants, both to the student pilots as well as to the certified flight instructors (CFIs), based on qualitative survey responses. The broader impacts of the program include support for diversity and inclusion realized by the institution, the aviation sector, and the community.

Підвищення безпеки польотів при проведенні авіаційно-хімічних робіт

У статті представлено аналіз причин серйозного інциденту, що стався при проведенні авіаційно-хімічних робіт на літаку АН-2. Мета роботи: дослідити причини зіткнення літаків з лініями електропередач під час виконання авіаційно-хімічних робіт та розробити засоби профілактики. Методи: з використанням моделі SHEL, рекомендованої ІКАО, встановлено основну та додаткові причини зіткнення літака з лінією електропередач. Результати: стаття містить результати аналізу даних розслідувань авіаційних подій та інцидентів з цивільними повітряними суднами, що сталися в Україні на протязі 2013 – 2016 років. На протязі цього періоду сталися п’ять зіткнень літальних апаратів з лініями електропередач, два з них зі смертельними наслідками. Оскільки подібні випадки мають непоодинокий характер, авторами розроблено відповідні попереджувальні заходи. Обговорення результатів: профілактика авіаційних подій під час польотів на малих висотах полягає у впровадженні досвіду ІКАО, а саме програм підготовки льотного екіпажу: оптимізації роботи екіпажу в кабіні (CRM) та льотної підготовки в умовах, наближених до реальних (LOFT). Запропоновано внесення до програм підготовки пілотів малих авіакомпаній питань, що стосуються реальних авіаційних подій та інцидентів, а також використання авіасимуляторів для тренування пілотів. В якості запобіжного заходу пропонується маркування проводів ліній електропередач пластиковими кулями згідно з міжнародною практикою.

“We Can and Will Do It!” Female perceptions of pilot as a career”

The purpose of this study was to better understand the low female enrollment rate in flight training programs across Canada. An examination of the most significant barriers contributing to low female enrollment in pilot training programs will help provide valuable insight to partner flight training units on how they may attract more females in aviation training, in turn, increasing the number of woman working as airline pilots. This study was qualitative, with data being gathered from face-to-face interviews with current female students in aviation, including early leavers (n = 9) and commercial airline employers (n = 4). Interviews were coded thematically and the following themes emerged from our analysis: Awareness of Aviation, Suitability of Aviation Career and Gender Discrimination. Findings demonstrated that the aviation profession needed to emphasize the importance of providing early education and awareness about aviation to both female and male students.

Using STPA in the Evaluation of Fighter Pilots Training Programs

This paper presents how the application of the STPA method might support the evaluation of fighter pilots training programs and trigger procedural and technological changes. We applied the STPA method by considering the safety constraints documented in the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of a South European Air Force and regard a flight of a two F-16 aircraft formation. In this context, we derived the control actions and feedback mechanisms that are available to the leader pilot during an Aircraft Combat Maneuver (ACM) mission, and we developed the control flow diagram based on the aircraft manuals. We compared the results of each analysis step with the respective flight training program, which is based on a mixed skill and rule-based decision-making, and we examined the role of the feedback mechanisms during multiple safety constraints violations. The analysis showed that: the flight training program under study does not structurally include cases of infringement of multiple safety constraints; the maintenance of some safety constraints are not supported by alerts, or rely on only one human sense; the existing procedures do not refer to the prioritization of pilot actions in cases of violation of multiple safety constraints; operation manuals do not address the cases of possible human performance deterioration when simultaneous information from feedback mechanisms is received. The results demonstrated the benefits of the STPA method, the application of which uncovered various inadequacies in the flight training program studied, some of them related to the F-16 cockpit ergonomics. The analysis lead to recommendations in regard to the amendment of the corresponding fighter pilots training program, and the conduction of further research regarding the aircraft – pilot interaction when multiple safety constraints are violated. The approach presented in this paper can be also followed for the (re)evaluation of flight training schemes in military, civil and general aviation, as well by any human-machine interface intensive domain.

Aerodynamic Essentials for Crew Station Design Teams

Increasing emphasis is being placed on various aspects of flight dynamics in aviation. This includes such things as upset and stall recovery, wind shear recovery, and approach instability recovery. Operators, safety analysts, and designers are now actively discussing “dynamic situation awareness.” Because of this, there is the need to understand the dynamic nature of flight operations, and incorporate this understanding in state-of-the-art flight deck systems and training programs. This article offers designers, operators, and trainers a quick review of some of the most important aspects of flight dynamics so as to develop programs, procedures, and systems that contribute directly to improving dynamic situation awareness.

Predictive Validity of Knowledge Tests for Pilot Training Outcome

Tests of subject-specific knowledge (mathematics, physics, and English as a foreign language for non-English-speaking countries) are commonly used in test batteries for the selection of ab initio pilots – for example, the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) or the German Aerospace Center (DLR) assessment. However, in validity research, knowledge tests are often underrepresented. This study evaluated the predictive validity of knowledge tests compared with cognitive ability tests and school grades. The validity criterion was the outcome of pilot training (pass/fail) of a preselected group of applicants (N = 402) who completed a 2-year flight training program. The predictive validity of the entire test battery was r = .55. Cognitive ability tests, knowledge tests, and school grades emerged as comparably valid predictors. These findings are discussed in the framework of Cattell’s theory of fluid and crystallized intelligence, suggesting that knowledge tests are predictively valid because they are indicators of motivation and of being a good learner.

Decision to Use an Airframe Parachute in a Flight Training Environment

The purpose of this study was to complete a qualitative analysis of the decision-making process used by pilots to determine whether or not to deploy an airframe parachute system. A sample of participants from the subject university’s flight training program was selected to complete a scripted simulator flight in instrument flight conditions. During the flight, participants experienced an engine failure while enroute during IFR conditions. The script was examined and validated by an expert panel who determined use of the airframe parachute was the most appropriate outcome for the scenario. Interestingly, only 9 of the 21 participants responded as expected by the expert panel and deployed the parachute system; only three of the nine followed the correct deployment procedure as outlined in the Pilot’s Operating Handbook. Analysis of a post-flight survey completed by participants provides insights into the decision-making process used by pilots and offers explanations on why or why not participants used the airframe parachute.