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    Extended reality (xR) flight simulators as an adjunct to traditional flight training methods: a scoping review
    (Springer Nature on behalf of the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V., 2023-10-20) Ross G; Gilbey A
    Over the next 20 years, it is predicted that an additional 760,000 new pilots will be needed to meet the growing demands of the global aviation industry. With current training capability, this may be difficult to achieve. A potential means of improving the efficiency and lowering the cost of flight training, which arguably may be prohibitively expensive to many potential trainee pilots, is to use extended reality simulation in place of traditional flight simulators and aircraft for at least some of the required training. To provide a better understanding of the possibilities in this regard, and where current research has advanced, a scoping review was undertaken. In total, 18 studies were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. It was concluded that extended reality technology has the potential to be successfully employed in flight training—saving time and money, whilst also enabling increased training capability, although some potential limitations were identified. The interest in this technology, combined with evidence pointing to its potential usefulness in flight training, suggests that further examination in this area by academia and industry is warranted.
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    Pilot Career Progression in New Zealand
    (2018-11-30) Griffin D; Murrie A
    The “Pilot Career Progression Survey” was distributed via social media and email to NZALPA members, former students of New Zealand-based flight training organisations and other organisations in New Zealand in July 2018, Its focus was on identifying the motivations and interests of individuals pursuing a career as commercial pilots, the information they used to make decisions about their training and career, and training experiences and costs. In particular, the survey examined individuals’ employment history within the aviation industry, seeking to build a more detailed picture of the steps pilots take and the pitfalls they encounter in pursuit of an aviation career.
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    Attributes of an effective flight instructor in a university aviation degree programme : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2004) Murray, John Magnus
    The flight instructor is at the heart of aviation practice and safety. Problems have arisen with the practice of flight instruction and it has been identified that improvements in flight instruction are required for the maintaining of good aviation practice and safety. Possible reasons for these problems are identified including the practice of flight instruction being used by newly qualified pilots as a career route towards an airline position. Two methods of evaluating teaching, student evaluations of teaching (SET) and self reports from teachers, were used in this study to investigate the perceived attributes of effective flight instructors as rated by both students and flight instructors in a university aviation degree programme. Twenty two flight instructors and seventy eight student pilots completed surveys which included questions on the importance of technical attributes, personal attributes, interpersonal skills and teaching ability for effective flight instructors. Similar to previous research, students and flight instructors perceived domain expertise (piloting skills) and being a good teacher as attributes of effective flight instructors. Traditional measures of aviation expertise, namely the number of hours accumulated by pilots - were not rated as attributes of effective flight instructors. Differences between the students and flight instructors were in the area of interpersonal skills which were rated more highly by the students. This also closely aligns with findings from the literature, especially medical studies, where the teacher - learner relationship is highly valued by medical students. General limitations and possible areas for future research are discussed. It is concluded that the findings from this study also align with the regulatory requirements for the training of new flight instructors.
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    Flight and duty times of flight instructors in general aviation in New Zealand : a study : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Aviation at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2003) Walton, Amanda Jane
    Flight Instructors that train pilots in the General Aviation arena are expected to perform to a high level at all times. Flight training is an intense activity during which the Flight Instructor is subject to many factors causing fatigue, both physiological and psychological, many of which may be outside their immediate control. Considerations such as low pay mean that Flight Instructors often work long hours and often have another job which adds to their time at work each day, resulting in a decrease in their time available for sleep. Although considerable research has been done on pilot fatigue in the Air Transport arena, particularly on long-haul pilots, there is a lack of information about fatigue in other areas, particularly where Flight Instructors are concerned, as they are not involved in Air Transport Operations. This study examines the potential for fatigue in Flight Instructors in the General Aviation industry in New Zealand. To achieve this a Questionnaire and Time Diary were developed, based on previously used materials, and adapted for use in the flight instruction environment. This enabled the flight and duty times of Flight Instructors to be recorded, and subsequent investigation of any preventative strategies or operational countermeasures currently being used to help prevent fatigue. Interviews were also carried out, and compared with the data from the Questionnaire and Time Diary. The results of the research found that despite recorded flight times not exceeding any nominated safe limits, duty times did, especially for Flight Instructors that had secondary employment outside the aviation industry.
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    Human factors as a corporate culture : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Aviation at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1997) Astuti, Dwinarni Wisnu
    Studies on human factors training needs assessment have been conducted within Western airlines. Little, however, is known whether other non-western aviation industries have the same needs. The present study aims to take a small step towards remedying that deficiency. This study concentrates on the identification of specific human factors training which is in line with the organisational objectives, on a sample of Indonesian aviation employees. The needs assessment questionnaire used in this study was based on Hunt's (1984b) NEBEAT model. The questionnaire also obtains biographical information. Descriptive statistics, Principal component analysis, and content analysis were used on the data. A clear implication of the findings of this study is that human factors training is less effective if only received by one of the teams in the company. A corporate culture of human factors is a prerequisite of maximum human resource efficiency and effectiveness.
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    Anxiety as a factor in student pilot performance in a university aviation degree programme : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Aviation at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2000) De Montalk, Ritchie James
    Student Pilots in a University Aviation Degree Programme are required to perform not only academically, but also in the mastery of practical skills associated with the flying and operation of light aircraft and flight simulators. Flight training is a dynamic process during which the student pilot is subject to many pressures both physiological and psychological, many of which may be outside his or her immediate control. Considerations such as the expensive nature of flying training, weather constraints, workload, peer pressure, and an on-going requirement to achieve practicum and academic goals in an environment of continual examination, assessment, and testing, place a burden on the student pilot that is not encountered in the traditional university programmes. Considerable research has been done on anxiety in high school and tertiary educational settings but there is a lack of information about its application to aviation, particularly where the practical assessment and flight testing of student pilots are concerned. This study examines the effects of anxiety on student pilot performance during flight training and flight-testing. To achieve this, questionnaires were developed from existing state and trait anxiety questionnaires and adapted for use in the aviation environment. This enabled the student's state and trait anxiety levels to be measured at different stages of their flight training and during flight- testing and helped identify specific areas of concern and anxiety causing factors. The results of the research confirmed that trait and state anxiety can be measured in student pilots and that test anxiety was also detectable. While no measurable effects of anxiety on hours to first solo or flight test scores results were obtained some evidence of the validity of the interactional model of anxiety was detected.
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    PC-based aviation training devices for pilot training in visual flight rules procedures : development, validation and effectiveness : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Aviation at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2014) Reweti, Savern
    Flying is a difficult and complex activity that requires a significant level of attention from the pilot as well as a lengthy training period to gain sufficient competency. For issues of both cost and safety, flight simulation has been an integral part of flight training from its earliest beginnings. There have been a number of technological developments and improvements in both the level of fidelity and the training effectiveness of flight simulators. As a result, flight simulators in use today are the result of this technological, psychological, and engineering evolution. Indeed, simulator cockpits can now accurately replicate all of the functions of flight controls and instrumentation found in real aircraft. Furthermore, the development of high-resolution display systems utilising computer-generated imagery (CGI), means that flight simulators can now display very realistic terrain and environmental effects. The high cost of modern full motion flight simulators (FFSs) has meant that their use has generally been restricted to commercial airlines, military forces, and government agencies. More recently, rapid advances and decreasing costs in PC-based computer technology has enabled flight-training organisations to conduct more training with less expensive fixed-base flight training devices (FTDs). That said, the first study in this thesis indicated that in NZ, even the cost of certified FTDs is still beyond the reach of most flight training schools and their students. The central tenet of this thesis is that a cost effective strategy for smaller flight training schools could be the utilisation of low-cost personal computer based aviation-training devices (PCATDs) for flight instruction and procedural training tasks. Although a number of studies have indicated that the fidelity of PCATDs may be quite low when compared to FTDs, especially in control loading and flight dynamics, there is some evidence of a positive transfer of training from the PCATD to the aircraft.Significant research has been conducted on the effective use of PCATDs to reduce Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) training time in the aircraft. Conversely, few studies have examined the use of PCATDs for Visual Flight Rules (VFR) training. This lack of research is likely due to the limited fidelity of most PCATDs, especially in the critical area of visual displays. Customised PCATDs were developed to address these fidelity issues by utilising innovative and cost effective software and hardware technologies. The aim of this study was to investigate potential training benefits and cost effectiveness of utilising low cost PCATDs, to improve pilot proficiency in performing VFR procedures. A quasi-transfer study was undertaken to ascertain whether a customised low cost PCATD was as effective as a Civil Aviation Authority certified FTD at improving pilot proficiency in the performance of a standard VFR traffic pattern operation. 1. There was no evidence of a difference in VFR task performance between participants trained on the PCATD and the FTD when tested on the FTD. In addition, there were significant improvements in VFR task performance compared to a control group that received no simulator training. 2. A follow-up study compared VFR task performance of two groups with significantly different levels of aviation experience that were trained and tested on the PCATD. Again, there was no evidence of any significant differences in VFR performance between these two groups of pilot trainees and this demonstrated that the PCATD could impart equal training benefits to both experienced and ab-initio pilots. The Civil Aviation Authority certification of two of the PCATDs developed in this study provided formal recognition of the training potential of these devices. In addition, the study has demonstrated that small to medium sized flight schools could enhance their training programmes significantly by deploying low cost PCATDs.
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    Setting a baseline for cognitive fatigue in student pilots : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Aviation at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2013) Ashley, Nicholas John
    Despite fatigue being an important topic in many areas of aviation, little is known about its occurrence and effects amongst student pilots. The purpose of this study is to examine cognitive fatigue in the flight training environment with the goal of setting a baseline for fatigue accumulation over the course of a one hour training flight. The study was divided into three sections. Firstly, information was gathered on the numbers and distribution of student pilots across New Zealand, and this resulted in a decision that research would proceed with students at a single large flight training organisation. Next, a search was undertaken for pre-existing tools that could be modified and refined to be made suitable for use in the flight training environment. A questionnaire and reaction time test were then created and successfully validated in a pilot study. Finally the main body of the study comprised using the two tools to test a non-probability sample of 21 student pilots, split between a main group and a control group. The data were then collated and analysed to determine the level of fatigue which accumulated, assess correlations between variables, and evaluate the significance of the results. Results were overall satisfactory, with the questionnaire returning some of the most useful and significant data. Significant levels of fatigue were detected amongst participants, but it could not be exactly determined how this would affect performance. Several significant correlations were discovered between different variables, which served to both reinforce existing knowledge on the topic, and further confirm the validity and reliability of the tools. While the study was somewhat limited in its approach and scope, it is relatively ground-breaking, and creates the potential for further research in this area.
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    Developing proficiency in air transport pilots : the case for the introduction on non-technical skills in basic pilot training programmes : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of PhD Aviation at Massey University, Palmerston North
    (Massey University, 2008) De Montalk, Ritchie James
    This study examines the differences between the skills and competencies of New Zealand flight school graduates and the types of skills and competencies believed to define a proficient air transport pilot. In New Zealand the training of professional pilots is directed towards meeting the requirements laid down by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority for the licensing of professional pilots. However, some evidence suggests that competence for licensing purposes does not necessarily meet the requirements of the airlines and the types of skills that they require as a prerequisite to airline training. Although not clearly defined, this shortfall has been recognised for several decades and traditional thinking is that extra flying experience gained as a general aviation pilot will develop the skills necessary for entry into airline pilot training. The importance that pilots of differing experience levels attach to technical and non-technical skills and their perception of the training effectiveness of those skills and how deficiencies in those skills contributed to aircraft accidents was explored by a four stage study including: i) a review and analysis of flight test results obtained from graduate pilots on a university air transport pilot programme; ii) the analysis of responses to questionnaires supplied to three pilot groups within the New Zealand aviation industry; iii) the analysis of air transport aircraft accidents and their primary and contributing causes; and iv) interviews with qualified airline pilots working for New Zealand airlines. The results indicated that throughout the spectrum of experience and qualifications, from student pilot to airline pilot, the technical skill of aircraft handling was highly valued and the training in this skill was considered by all pilots to be satisfactory. In contrast, while non-technical skill deficiencies were found to be primary or contributing factors in many aircraft accidents, less importance was attached to non-technical skills by all pilot groups. The training effectiveness of these skills was rated as only moderately effective or of minimal effectiveness. The findings are discussed and recommendations are made for the improvement of basic flight training. In addition, a model is proposed for the fast tracking of flight school graduates into the airline training schools. Several areas for future research are also proposed.