Evaluating an Education/Training Module to Foster Knowledge of Cockpit Weather Technology

Abstract

Although additional research is needed, these results demonstrated that pilots can benefit from a well-designed education/training program involving specific areas of aviation weather-related knowledge.

A Proposed Taxonomy for General Aviation Pilot Weather Education and Training

“…Figure 2 shows the taxonomy with its three tiers along with a qualitative estimate of how the knowledge should be obtained. We believe that as one moves from tiers 1 to 2 and on to 3, the topics become more applied, and as a result, the proportion of The idea of traceability as one moves up the tiering structure is supported by earlier work from Cobbett, Blickensderfer, and Lanicci (2014). Their study developed an education and training module on the use of real-time, in-cockpit NEXRAD products to make informed aeronautical decisions pertaining to convective weather in flight.…”

Training General Aviation Pilots for Convective Weather Situations

“…Recent research off ered a training course that helped young pilots to understand weather displays. 5 Th e purpose of the current study was to determine the effi cacy of this training module using a sample that was more representational of the whole GA population in the United States.…”

“…In another study, aft er receiving guidance on the correct usage of in-cockpit weather displays, pilots changed from tactical to a more strategic use of the displays. 3 To address the Datalink weather knowledge gap further, Cobbett et al 5 developed a training module to foster pilots ' knowledge and skills for using NEXRAD-based Datalink weather products eff ectively in convective weather situations. Initial validation of the course demonstrated that the pilots who took the course gained knowledge and improved their performance on paper-based fl ight scenarios.…”

“…Th e purpose of the current study was to examine the effi cacy of the Cobbett et al 5 training program to foster convective weather knowledge and skills of a more representative sample of GA pilots in the U.S. To accomplish this study, we sought GA pilots with three important diff erences from the pilots in the Cobbett et al study. First, we aimed for pilots who were trained in FAR Part 61 facilities (rather than FAR Parts 141 or 142).…”

“…Th e equipment for this study included the course given, a control activity, and evaluation instruments to assess the subjects ' performance. Th e course used was developed by Cobbett et al, 5 but the current study used an instructor who had not been part of the original course development. Th e course instructor was an FAA certifi cated airline transport pilot with airplane single engine land and airplane multi-engine land ratings.…”