Virtual Reality & Pilot Training: Existing Technologies, Challenges & Opportunities

The introduction of virtual reality (VR) to flying training has recently gained much attention, with numerous VR companies, such as Loft Dynamics and VRpilot, looking to enhance the training process. Such a considerable change to how pilots are trained is a subject that warrants careful consideration. Examining the effect that VR has on learning in other areas gives us an idea of how VR can be suitably applied to flying training. Some of the benefits offered by VR include increased safety, decreased costs, and increased environmental sustainability. Nevertheless, some challenges ahead for developers to consider are negative transfer of learning, cybersickness, and failure for users to adopt the technology. In addition to this discussion, existing technologies are presented and compared across a number of areas. Future directions for research and development in VR flying training are considered, highlighting the importance of thorough testing procedures and shifting research focus to the considerate integration of VR into flying training procedures