Enhancing Pilot ‘Mission’ Projection Through a Virtual Reality Flight Simulator: A Quasi-Transfer of Training Study

The purported benefits of Virtual Reality for pilot flight simulator training, such as increased immersion and presence, would be of great benefit in training those flight skills that rely on visuospatial awareness. The implementation of this new technology for the training of pilots requires careful consideration of its ability to transfer required skills, and the comparative advantages over conventional flight simulators. In order to resolve the matter, a quasi-transfer study has been completed, using a separate-sample pretest-posttest design. The ability of a low-cost VR Simulator to transfer flying skills and mission projection skills, using internally valid measures, during a common flight manoeuvre was evaluated. Results indicate a significant and statistically equal improvement in participants’ flying (g = 8.75) and mission projection (g = 0.661) skills, as well as the combined measure (g = 0.768). The findings indicate that the VR Simulator is effective for the training of basic flying skills, those skills that require understanding of spatial relationships based on visual information, and in the broader training of technique. These findings must, however, be considered in the context of the study and the noted limitations of the technology.