Flygertrening i USAF - USAF

17 February 2020

USAF Columbus AFB integrates VR technology into pilot training

An experimental U.S. Air Force pilot training scheme is looking beyond conventional flight simulators and classroom academics in a bid to produce better pilots

Kavya Chivukula 23 hours ago

A student pilot operates the virtual reality flight simulation 

equipment. Credit: US Air Force / Airman 1st Class Jake Jacobsen.

The US Air Force’s (USAF) 14th Flying Training Wing (FTW) innovation flight in Columbus Air Force Base (AFB) has integrated virtual reality (VR) technology into pilot training. A flexible syllabus has been developed to swiftly train quality pilots for the airforce. The syllabus does not replace conventional training methods but includes all the crucial basic mission elements that accommodate each soldier’s learning habits.

The training process integrated with the technology has produced pilots with only 42 sorties in comparison to traditional training with 47 sorties. 41st Flying Training Squadron chief pilot and director of the innovation flight Christopher Harris said: “The VR does not replace actual flight training, but what we do here at innovation flight is to try and leverage the things that it is good for.

“We then place it into the appropriate spot in the syllabus, continue to evolve as the technology develops and create better pilots faster.” It provides pilots with significant skills such as risk management, situational awareness and decision-making, and prepares them for the complete process from take-off to landing.