Human Systems Integration Division @ NASA Ames

This study examines the extent to which skills acquired using advanced avionics found in a small technically advanced aircraft (TAA) transfer to more sophisticated equipment found in a modern jet transport. Eight pilots were trained to proficiency on twenty-eight procedures using the GPS navigation computer, autopilot, and flight director system found in a small technically advanced aircraft. Eight other pilots did not receive the training. All sixteen pilots were then tested on their ability to perform the same procedures using a computer-based simulator of the flight management and guidance systems found in a popular jet transport. Pilots attempted the jet transport procedures with no prior exposure to the equipment, no training, and no reference materials. Pilots who received the TAA training successfully completed 83% of all procedures in the jet transport, while pilots in the control group achieved an average success rate of 54%. Further analysis of the data showed that much of the control group's success was attributable to superficial strategies guided by labels that appear on the knobs and buttons of the equipment, and that their scores averaged only 22% on procedures for which no label cues were available. The results cast a strong vote for transfer of learning between the two types of equipment, and for the use of small technically advanced to train pilots who will later transition to the commercial jet fleet.