Evaluation of the Transfer and Cost Effectiveness of A Complex Computer-Assisted Flight Procedure Trainer.

摘要

A simple, comparatively inexpensive instrument flight trainer based on computer-assisted instruction (CAI) technology was compared with more traditional training devices in teaching 48 private pilots to fly a standard instrument procedure, the holding pattern. The CAI device, based on the University of Illinois PLATO interactive computer-assisted teaching system, provided the student with instructional information and an opportunity to 'fly' holding patterns by using a hand control to input commands to the PLATO system and with reference to dynamic flight instruments displayed on the computer terminal screen. 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. All students were trained to fly both crosswind and quartering tailwind holding patterns and flew to criterion in the aircraft. Measures taken included altitude errors, inbound tracking errors, errors in inbound time, and trials to criterion.