Full flight simulators are amazing tools for learning. Training devices have become more sophisticated, more true to the environment they recreate and, with this innovation, more expensive to use as well. But have these advances made them more effective as training tools in parallel, or is there a limit to the benefits of ever-increasing realism to the learning environment? This article aims to explain two of the key concepts in using simulated environments for training, fidelity and transfer of training, and invites you to consider the pros and cons of your own experiences of teaching and learning in the simulator.
Category Archives: Culture
Military vs Civil: Does training background affect safety in helicopter pilots?
Which system produces the better pilot – military or civil? Does it matter? According to a recent study of helicopter pilots from the University of Aberdeen with the title “Does training background affect safety in helicopter pilots?” (Kaminska et al., 2023), maybe we are right to be asking these questions. The answers suggest that we need to pay more attention to how the military-civil divide impacts CRM behaviours amongst mixed crews. What do the cultural differences embedded in the different ways these pilots have been trained mean to competency, operational effectiveness, and – ultimately – safety?
On helicopters, elephants, and training.
This is the elephant in the room that has been stubbornly refusing to move: very little has changed in how we train helicopter pilots for four decades or more. In the meantime much else has changed, but collectively we are unwilling – or unable – to make significant changes to what the training and checking system prescribes. Why is this? And what should we do about it?
Navigating cross-cultural turbulence: Why the multi-national complexion of aviation demands we should all add culture to our competencies.
Just mentioning the word culture seems often to be met with a glazing over of eyes. I learned that discussing ‘cultural capability’ in the military was unfashionable, uncool, and frankly unmilitary. I have a sense that the same is true in the world of aviation, which is ironic given the uniquely international nature of the industry…
The safety dividend of aviation’s professional culture?
How much does an aviator’s own cultural identification with safety have a role in contributing to safety outcomes? Certain professions have strong and distinctive professional cultures. Aviation is one of these. Does a belief in a deep-rooted safety culture underpin how aviators identify as professionals?
competentaviators.com 