The Captive Helicopter As A Training Device

The research objective was to determine the effectiveness of a new device concept for helicopter contact flight training and the usefulness of such a device for predicting performance during subsequent flight training. The device was a commercially available captive helicopter attached to a ground effects machine. Two experimental groups of trainees received 3 1/4 or 7 1/4 hours of device training prior to primary helicopter training. In comparison with control groups, both device trained groups (a) were significantly less likely to be eliminated from subsequent flight training for reasons of flying deficiency; (b) required less flight training to attain the proficiency required to solo the helicopter; and (c) received higher grades during early training. Trainees who performed well on the training device tended to perform well during subsequent flight training. Instructors using devices such as this one need not be proficient in the helicopter used for subsequent flight training. (Author).

Simulations have been a fixture of aviation training for many years. Advances in simulator technology now enable modern flight simulation to mimic very closely the look and feel of real world flight operations. In spite of this, responsible researchers, trainers, and simulation developers should look beyond mere simulator fidelity to produce meaningful training outcomes. Optimal simulation training development can unquestionably benefit from knowledge and understanding of past, present, and future research in this topic area. As a result, this volume of key writings is invaluable as a reference, to help guide exploration of critical research in the field. By providing a mix of classic articles that stand the test of time, and recent writings that illuminate current issues, this volume informs a broad range of topics relevant to simulation training in aviation.