Transfer-of-Training Study of Emergency Touchdown Maneuvers in the AH-1 Flight and Weapons Simulator.

摘要

For this report, researchers conducted a transfer of training study to investigate the effectiveness of the AH-1 Flight and Weapons Simulator (FWS) as a training device for the reacquisition of skills on five emergency touchdown maneuvers (ETMs). Twenty aviators assigned to operational aviation units served as subjects. All aviators received initial check rides in the aircraft and the FWS and were assigned to one of two groups on the basis of their checkride scores. The control group received training to proficiency in the aircraft on each of the five maneuvers and a second checkride in the FWS. The experimental group received training to proficiency in the FWS on each of the five maneuvers followed by similar training in the aircraft. Analysis of the initial checkride scores indicated that the aviator's skills were deficient on the ETMs prior to the study. They required extensive training to reach proficiency in the FWS but relatively little training to regain proficiency in the aircraft. Prior training in the FWS reduced the number of practice trials and the amount of flight training time required to reach proficiency in the aircraft. However, training in the existing FWS alone is insufficient for reacquisition of ETM skills to a standard of aircraft proficiency. In view of the prohibition on practice of ETMs in the aircraft, it is recommended that the Army initiate a product improvement program for the FWS. Keywords: Attack helicopters, Aircrew training, Backward transfer, Continuation training, Flight simulation, Pilot performance measurement. (sdw)