Analysis of Skill on a Flight Simulator: Implications for Training

Abstract

A backward transfer technique was used to identify component skills related to performance on a PC based flight simulator. Forty subjects were first trained on the simulator for eight hours and were then tested on several component skills tasks (backward transfer). A second group of 40 subjects was first given the component skills tasks and then was trained on the simulator task (forward transfer). Both groups were then divided into high- and low-ability groups based on whole-task performance and were compared on the component tasks. Backward transfer subjects showing proficiency on the simulator also showed proficiency on tasks related to pitch, altitude, and heading control, and tasks related to spatial orientation skills. Analysis of the forward transfer group suggested that many of the ability differences observed after whole-task training may have existed prior to whole-task training. Furthermore, some ability differences obtained for the forward transfer group were not obtained in the backward transfer group suggesting that these skills may be acquired through whole-task training. The implications of these results are discussed in the context of part-task training, adaptive training, and gender differences.