PC-based Flight Simulation Research Articles

User Experience, Motivation and Self-Efficacy Comparisons Between Virtual Reality and Conventional PC-Based Flight Simulation Training

User Experience, Motivation and Self-Efficacy Comparisons Between Virtual Reality and Conventional PC-Based Flight Simulation Training

EXPERIENCE WITH A SMALL UAV IN THE ENGINEERING DESIGN CLASS AT CAPILANO UNIVERSITY – A NOVEL APPROACH TO FIRST YEAR ENGINEERING DESIGN

Capilano University offers a very successfulfirst-year Engineering Transfer and EngineeringTransition Diploma program. A key learning experiencefor students of both programs is a one-semesterEngineering Design course, in which the instructor leadsthe student through a practical design project, applyingengineering design principles that are presented in thecourse. In 2014, a new project design theme wasintroduced, specifically working with small UnmannedAerial Vehicles (UAVs). The teaching methodologycombined both lecture and student led learningexperiences. Student teams of 4 were provided a commonassignment to carry out a field investigation using a UAVand video camera to simulate an industrial application.With experience gained on a PC based flight simulator,all teams successfully completed their designs, carried outtheir UAV flights and documented their results. Studentsdeveloped project management and communication skillsearly in their engineering education. This innovativeapproach in first year provides students with immediateexposure to the practical limitations that constrainengineering design. The teaching methodology isexpected to result in graduate engineers who havestronger skills in teamwork, communication, and designcapability. This first year teaching methodology hasshown significant promise as demonstrated through thequality of the design projects, as well as positive feedbackfrom the students.

Above-Real-Time Training (ARTT) Improves Transfer to a Simulated Flight Control Task

The aim of this study was to measure the effects of above-real-time-training (ARTT) speed and screen resolution on a simulated flight control task. ARTT has been shown to improve transfer to the criterion task in some military simulation experiments. We tested training speed and screen resolution in a project, sponsored by Defence Research and Development Canada, to develop components for prototype air mission simulators. For this study, 54 participants used a single-screen PC-based flight simulation program to learn to chase and catch an F-18A fighter jet with another F-18A while controlling the chase aircraft with a throttle and side-stick controller. Screen resolution was varied between participants, and training speed was varied factorially across two sessions within participants. Pretest and posttest trials were at high resolution and criterion (900 knots) speed. Posttest performance was best with high screen resolution training and when one ARTT training session was followed by a session of criterion speed training. ARTT followed by criterion training improves performance on a visual-motor coordination task. We think that ARTT influences known facilitators of transfer, including similarity to the criterion task and contextual interference. Use high-screen resolution, start with ARTT, and finish with criterion speed training when preparing a mission simulation.

Object-oriented landing gear model in a PC-based flight simulator

Training pilots the skill of maneuvering an aircraft on ground is important for flight safety. This demands a detailed landing gear model running in real-time. We developed the model and verified its validity by contrast with flight test data. It is accurate sufficiently and very suitable for real-time flight simulation to represent complex ground reaction behavior under various conditions and occasions. Based on this model, we realized a landing gear class in a unified flight simulation framework written in C++ and successfully applied the whole simulation codes through S-function in a PC-based experimental flight simulator. Because of the unique features of object-oriented design principles, the software framework presented here is structural, transplantable and convenient to maintain. The constitution and the quality of the simulator reveal that it would have cause to decrease the cost for developing a flight simulator with higher fidelity in future.

Scaling the quality of teammates' mental models: equifinality and normative comparisons

We tested the impact of teammates' team and task mental model sharedness on team processes and performance using 70 undergraduate teams that completed a series of missions on a PC-based flight simulator. Moreover, we considered how the quality of mental models might moderate such relationships. Team processes were found to partially mediate the relationship between task mental model sharedness and team performance. Although team mental model sharedness failed to exhibit a significant linear relationship with team processes or performance, it did evidence a multiplicative relationship as moderated by the quality of those models. Team processes and performance were better among teams sharing higher-quality team mental models than among teams evidencing less sharedness or who had lower-quality models. Again, team processes partially mediated these relationships. Results are discussed in terms of the equifinality of mental model quality and applications to various team environments. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

実機を用いた単独計器飛行時のパイロットの視線移動計測

Operations under single pilot instrument flight rules for general aviation aircraft is known to be one of the most demanding pilot tasks. Scanning numerous instruments plays a key role for perception and decision-making during flight. Flight experiments have been done by a single engine light airplane to investigate the pilot eye scanning technique for IFR flights. Comparisons between the results by an actual flight and those by a PC-based flight simulator are made. The experimental difficulties of pilot eye scanning measurements during the actual IFR flight are discussed.

単独計器飛行時のワークロード評価法に関する研究

Operations under single pilot instrument flight rules for general aviation aircraft are known to be one of the most demanding pilot tasks. Pilot workload measurements using a PC-based flight simulator have been done to investigate pilot skills and the pilot workload. A pilot workload evaluation method has been established that is partly based on the time and motion studies and that mainly concentrates on the pilot's information processing. The time-record of pilot's eye movement has been used for the evaluation. Pilots who have different flight experiences attended the tests. Comparisons between the results by experienced pilots and those by novice pilots were made. It was shown that the relatively correct pilot workload has been evaluated by the present method. Results for the VOR tracking flight showed that the workload of the experienced pilots increases only when the airplane attitude has been changed, while results of the novice pilots show high workload continuously during the whole flight.

Issues in Using Off-the-Shelf Pc-Based Flight Simulation for Research and Training: Historical Perspective, Current Solutions and Emerging Technologies

Flight simulation has historically been an expensive proposition, particularly if out-the-window views were desired. Advances in computer technology have allowed a modular, off-the-shelf flight simulation (based on 80486 processors) to be assembled that has been adapted, with minimal effort, for conducting general-aviation research. This simulation includes variable flight instrumentation, forward, 45 and 90 degree left external world views, and a map display. Control inputs are provided by high-fidelity analog controls (e.g., damped and self-centering yoke, high-performance throttle quadrant, gear, flap, and trim controls; and navigation radio frequency select). The simulation is based upon two commercially available flight simulation software packages, one designed as an instrument flight trainer and the other as a “game”-type flight simulation. The provisions of these packages are discussed highlighting their particular research capabilities as well as their limitations. The comparatively low cost and ease of assembly/integration allow multiple “standardized” systems to be distributed for cooperative interlaboratory studies. The approach appears to have utility for both research and training. Preliminary experimental results are reported as a validation of the utility of the system for research.

Effectiveness of PC-Based Flight Simulation

PC-based flight-simulation effectiveness was analyzed through a transfer-of-learning study. Sixty college students with no previous flight experience performed a designated-aircraft maneuver. Thirty of the subjects were trained in a computer-based training device (CBTD) before flying; the remaining 30 were taken directly to the aircraft. Chi-square and t test analyses on the data revealed a statistical advantage at the .01 level of confidence for the CBTD-trained experimental group, which performed significantly better than the control group. The CBTD chosen for this study was AzureSoft's Electronic Instrument Flight Rules Environment (ELITE™), run on a Zenith personal computer. Cessna 150 and 152 aircraft were used for the flight portion of the study. The incorporation of CBTDs in flight training is recommended because they have the potential for reducing the amount of hours spent in the airplane.

Analysis of Skill on a Flight Simulator: Implications for Training

A backward transfer technique was used to identify component skills related to performance on a PC based flight simulator. Forty subjects were first trained on the simulator for eight hours and were then tested on several component skills tasks (backward transfer). A second group of 40 subjects was first given the component skills tasks and then was trained on the simulator task (forward transfer). Both groups were then divided into high- and low-ability groups based on whole-task performance and were compared on the component tasks. Backward transfer subjects showing proficiency on the simulator also showed proficiency on tasks related to pitch, altitude, and heading control, and tasks related to spatial orientation skills. Analysis of the forward transfer group suggested that many of the ability differences observed after whole-task training may have existed prior to whole-task training. Furthermore, some ability differences obtained for the forward transfer group were not obtained in the backward transfer group suggesting that these skills may be acquired through whole-task training. The implications of these results are discussed in the context of part-task training, adaptive training, and gender differences.

Transfer of Learning Effectiveness: PC-Based Flight Simulation

Transfer of Learning Effectiveness: PC-Based Flight Simulation

Performance Consequences of Automation-Induced 'Complacency'

The effect of variations in the reliability of an automated monitoring system on human operator detection of automation failures was examined in two experiments. For four 30-min sessions, 40 subjects performed an IBM PC-based flight simulation that included manual tracking and fuel-management tasks, as well as a system-monitoring task that was under automation control. Automation reliability - the percentage of system malfunctions detected by the automation routine - either remained constant at a low or high level over time or alternated every 10 min from low to high. Operator detection of automation failures was substantially worse for constant-reliability than for variable-reliability automation after about 20 min under automation control, indicating that the former condition induced 'complacency'. When system monitoring was the only task, detection was very efficient and was unaffected by variations in automation reliability. The results provide the first empirical evidence of the performance consequences of automation-induced 'complacency'. We relate findings to operator attitudes toward automation and discuss implications for cockpit automation design.

The effect of performance failure and task demand on the perception of mental workload

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of incipient performance failure on subjective workload response. Unknown to the participants, there were two levels of demand embedded in the PC-based flight simulation performance task. These were included to assess whether task-naive subjects could distinguish variations in load in the face of repetitive performance failure. Results confirmed that participants were able to distinguish this change in load level under such circumstances and that failure resulted in higher perceived workload than did successful performance. Within these differences were significant effects dependent upon subject gender. In general, female participants performed more poorly and rated workload higher than their male counterparts. It is concluded that the experience of failure presents a significant source of workload in systems operation.