The notion of Serious Games dates to at least 1970. More recently leaders also identified gaming technology as a possible disruptive technology. If off-the-shelf PC-based aviation games and the vast library of related civilian developed databases and models can be leveraged for serious training use, then existing flight training paradigms from familiarization training to mission rehearsal might be disrupted and provide the military financial, safety, quality, and time benefits for even less cost. This research investigates the contribution that an off-the-shelf, PC-based, aviation game makes to learning using three inexpensive interface configurations. The simulator performance improvement methodology is used to measure the contribution. The research considers interface usability, model fidelity, and simulation sufficiency for task learning. The research also investigates the difference in performance of pilots with and without turbulence with increased load in these configurations. The specific task chosen for research was combat search and rescue with turbulent weather conditions. All forty-five participants in the research were in training to become licensed helicopter pilots. Results of their subjective assessments are also included.
[1] Abt, C. (1970) Serious Games.New York, Viking Press.
2.
[2] Smith, Roger (2006). Technology Disruption in the Simulation Industry. Journal of Defense Modeling and Simulation.Volume 3, Issue 1, pages 3–10.
3.
[3] Christensen, C.The innovator's dilemma: when new technologies cause great firms to fail.Boston: Harvard Business School Press; 1997.
4.
[4] Federal Aviation Administration (1991). Advisory Circular 120–40B: Airplane Simulator Qualification.U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C.
5.
[5] Federal Aviation Administration (1994). Advisory Circular 120–63: Helicopter Simulator Qualification.U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C.
6.
[6] Department of Defense (2003) Directive Number 5000.1 The Defense Acquisition System, May 12, Washington D.C.
7.
[7] Meyer, Austin. X-Plane. Laminar Research, available at http://www.x-plane.com/about.html
8.
[8] Stewart, J.E. III, Dohme, J.A., & Nullmeyer, R.T. (2002) U.S. Army Initial Entry Rotary-Wing Transfer of Training Research.The International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 12(4), 359–375.
9.
[9] Kelly, Lloyd L. (1970), The Pilot Maker, Grosset & Dunlap, NY.
10.
[10] McDowell, P., Darkin, R., Sullivan, J. and Johnson, E. (2006). Delta3D: A Complete Open Source Game and Simulation Engine for Building Military Training Systems. Journal of Defense Modeling and Simulation.Volume 3, Issue 3, pages 143–154.
11.
[11] Kreider, L. (2002). Memorandum: February 11, 2002. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Flight Standards District Office, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania.
12.
[12] Roessingh, Jan J. M. (2005) Transfer of Manual Flying Skills From PC-Based Simulation to Actual Flight-Comparison of In-Flight Measured Data and Instructor Ratings. The International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 15(1), 67–90.
13.
[13] Talleur, D. A., Taylor, H.L., Emanuel, T.W., Rantanen, E. and Bradshaw, G.L. (2003). Personal Computer Aviation Training Devices: Their Effectiveness for Maintaining Instrument Currency. The International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 13(4), 387–399.
14.
[14] Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and Development. (1980). Fidelity of simulation for pilot training. (AGARD-AR-159).France: Neuilly sur Seine: North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
15.
[15] Caro, P. W., (1977). Some Factors Influencing Air Force Simulator Training Effectiveness. (HumRRO-TR-77–2).Alexandria, VA: Human Resources Research Organization.
16.
[16] Proctor, M., Panko, M. and Donovan, S. (2004) Considerations for Training Team Situation Awareness and Task Performance Through PC-Gamer Simulated Multiship Helicopter Operations.The International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 14(2), 191–205.
17.
[17] Bürki-Cohen, J., Soja, N. N., Longridge, T. (1998). Simulator Platform Motion-The Need Revisited.International Journal of Aviation Psychology, (3), 293–317.
18.
[18] McDaniel, W.C., Scott, P.G., Browning, R.F. (1983). Contribution of Platform Motion Simulation in SH-3 Helicopter Pilot Training. (Technical Report 153)Orlando, FL: Training Analysis and Evaluation Group, Department of the Navy.
19.
[19] Hays, R.T., Jacobs, J.W., Prince, C., & Salas, E. (1992). Flight Simulator Training Effectiveness: A Meta-Analysis.Military Psychology, 4(2), 63–74.
20.
[20] Rathmell, R.A. (1999). A Coalition Force Scenario ‘Binni - Gateway to the Golden Bowl of Africa’. Proceedings of the International Workshop on Knowledge-Based Planning for Coalition Forces (ed. Tate, A.), 115–125. Edinburgh, Scotland.
21.
[21] Allsopp, D.N., Beautement, P., Bradshaw, J.M., Durfee, E.H., Kirton, M., Knoblock, C.A., Suri, N., Tate A., & Thompson, C.W. (2002, May/June). Coalition Agents Experiment: Multi-Agent Co-operation in an International Coalition Setting. Special Issue, Knowledge Systems for Coalition Operations (KSCO), IEEE Intelligent Systems, 17(3), 26–35.
22.
[22] Department of the Army (2000b) Aircrew Training Manual Utility Helicopter, UH-60/EH-60. (TC 1–237). Washington, DC.
23.
[23] Joint Chiefs of Staff. (1998, March). Doctrine for Joint Combat Search and Rescue (Joint Publication 3–50.2).
24.
[24] Joint Chiefs of Staff (2002, July) Universal Joint Task List (CJSCM 3500.04C).
25.
[25] Department of the Army (2000a) Mission Training Plan for the Utility Helicopter Battalion (ARTEP 1–113-MTP). Washington, DC.
26.
[26] Department of the Army (2000c). Aeromedical Training for Flight Personnel. (FM 3–04.301). Washington, DC.
27.
[27] Department of the Army (2001). Mission Training Plan for Aviation Brigades (ARTEP 1–111-MTP). Washington, DC.
28.
[28] Department of the Army (2002). Soldier's Manual and Trainer's Guide MOS 93P Aviation Operations Specialist Skill Level (STP 1–93P1-SM-TG). Washington, DC.
29.
[29] Department of the Army (2003). Aviation Brigades (FM 3–04.111). Retrieved March 25, 2004 from http://www.adtdl.army.mil
30.
[30] Department of the Army (2005). Aircrew Training Manual Utility Helicopter H-60 Serie (TC 1–237). Washington, D.C.
31.
[31] USA Combined Arms Center. (2002, December). Army Universal Task List (FM 7–15). Ft. Leavenworth, KS.
32.
[32] US Army Training and Doctrine Command (n.d.). Command Aviation Company (CATS 01108A000). Retrieved March 25, 2004 from http://www.adtdl.army.mil
33.
[33] Humanalysis, Inc. (1994). Cues and Conditions for UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter Flight and Mission Tasks Performed by Pilots and Co-Pilots.Orlando, Fl: US Army Simulation, Training and Instrumentation Command.
34.
[34] Reeves, B. and Nass, C. (1998). The media equation: How people treat computers, television, and new media like real people and places.New York: Cambridge University Press.
35.
[35] Tan, D. (2004). Exploiting the Cognitive and Social Benefits of Physically Large Displays. (CMU-CS-04–154).Carnegie Mellon University.
