EVALUATION OF SYNTHETIC INSTRUMENT FLIGHT TRAINING IN THE OFFICER/ WARRANT OFFICER ROTARY WING AVIATOR COURSE

Abstract : The objective was to determine the training value of synthetic instrument flight training given in the Tactical Instrument Phase of the Army's Officer/Warrant Officer Rotary Wing Aviator Course. Synthetic training in that course is administered in a modified fixed wing instrument training device. One group of trainees received the standard 20-hour synthetic instrument flight training program, a second group received 10 hours, and a third group received no synthetic training. The synthetic training given in the modified fixed wing training device did not increase trainee helicopter instrument flight proficiency in terms of aircraft control and procedural skills. In addition, there were no significant differences among the three groups in attrition, instructor-assigned daily grades, amount of flight instructional time required to complete the phase, and final checkride grades.