Backward Transfer and Skill Acquisition in the AH-1 Flight and Weapons Simulator.

摘要

Two experiments were conducted, one to investigate the backward transfer of flight skills to the AH-1 Flight and Weapons Simulator (AH1FWS) and another to investigate the acquisition of flight skills in the AH1FWS on selected maneuvers. In the backward transfer research, 16 AH-1 instructor pilots (IPs) from the AH-1 Aircrew Qualification Course were administered checkrides in the AH1FWS and the AH-1F aircraft. Comparison of the performance data from the two checkrides indicates that, while proficient on the maneuvers in the AH-1F, all IPs performed poorly in the AH1FWS. The IPs attributed their difficulties in the AH1FWS to deficiencies in the visual system and the handling and response characteristics of the flight controls. In the skill acquisition research, four groups of 10 operational aviators received training in the AH1FWS. Each group received training on a different set of five maneuvers. The training comprised 10 practice trials for each maneuver. Subjects received no feedback on trials 1-3; IPs provided instruction on trials 4-10. Mean performance ratings did not reach a satisfactory level of proficiency within the 10 practice trials for 17 of the 20 maneuvers investigated. Furthermore, the backward transfer data obtained during the skill acquisition research were consistent with similar data collected in a previous study. Keywords: Flight simulation; Skill acquisition; Aircrew training; Helicopter; Training effectiveness; Pilot; Performance (Human); Transfer of training. (SDW)