Transfer of a Computer-Assisted Instrument Procedures Trainer to Flight

Abstract

A simple, comparatively inexpensive instrument flight trainer based on computer-assisted instruction (CAI) technology was compared with more traditional devices in training 48 private pilots to fly a standard instrument procedure. Groups of students were trained using either (a) CAI and aircraft training, (b) ground school, ground-based trainer and aircraft training, or (c) ground school and aircraft training. Both the CAI system and the general aviation flight trainer were found to provide similar magnitude of transfer to the aircraft. The results suggest that substantial cost benefit could be derived by substituting such CAI training for more costly higher fidelity training in the flight training curriculum.