Effects of scene content, field of view and amount of simulator training in first officer training

A total of 49 subjects were tested for transfer to an advanced multi-engine aircraft in a transfer of training study that used a simulator to teach takeoffs, closed patterns, and instrument landing procedures (ILS). The amount of training in a visual simulator was manipulated (0, 50 percent and 100 percent) as was scene detail (low and high) and field of view (narrow and wide). Four experimental sessions of one hour each were conducted in the simulator, and three hours of flight training in the aircraft were used to test for transfer. A control group of 8 subjects received all of their training in the airplane (no simulator control group). For the two groups trained with the visual system, the results indicated that, for visual traffic pattern procedures, training with a high-detail visual scene improved transfer compared to a low-detail scene and training in a wide field of view also improved transfer compared to a narrow field of view. In addition, the interaction of field of view and scene detail indicated that a low-detail scene and wide field of view provided better transfer compared to all other combinations. The amount of training had no effect on transfer for visual traffic pattern procedures for the two groups trained with the visual system. No significant transfer effects were found for training when comparing the no simulator group and the three simulator groups. For the ILS procedures, no significant transfer effects were found for scene detail, field of view, or amount of visual training for the two groups trained with the visual system. The effect of training on transfer was found for heading through first on- course turn, level off, visual centerline orientation, touchdown attitude and follow through and airspeed on touchdown. For all variables except heading through first on-course turn, the results indicate the positive transfer effect of training in the simulator.