Skip to main content

Navigating the Skies: Enhancing Military Helicopter Pilot Training Through Learning Analytics

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Adaptive Instructional Systems (HCII 2024)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 14727))

Included in the following conference series:

  • 474 Accesses

Abstract

Ensuring safety and proficiency in aviation requires effective training and maintenance of pilot skills. Pilots must maintain currency, implying regular flight, though some critical elements (e.g. emergency procedures) are rarely practiced in-flight. Simulator sessions are employed for safe practice and training. Simulators provide more opportunities for pilots to experience sophisticated training without safety risks and dependencies on for example weather and logistics. While human assessors currently evaluate pilot performance, a simulator can provide rich data for assessments, utilizing learning analytics for individual insights. Simulator data (and potentially aircraft data) is not regularly used yet in training to gain insights in performance. Furthermore, current training planning lacks consideration for individual needs, relying on fixed intervals and syllabi. This study aims to investigate how simulator data can be used to assess performance and if it provides valid statements about pilot performance. Thereafter, the data is used to develop a skill retention model accommodating personal differences. The research involves Chinook helicopter pilots from the Royal Netherlands Air Force, using simulator data to create tailored performance metrics for maneuvers. The ongoing study investigates the integration of simulator data into training assessments and aims to contribute valuable insights into pilot performance and skill retention. This paper presents the preliminary findings in the development of learning analytics within this context.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Wolting, J.: NAVO verandert huidige Force Model. Defensie Magazine - Landmacht 07 Artikel 8 (2022). https://magazines.defensie.nl/landmacht/2022/07/08_nieuwe-nato-force-model

  2. Emmi, Y., et al.: How Training Infrastructure Can Improve Assessments of Air Force Readiness. RAND Corporation, Santa Monica (2023). https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RBA992-1.html

  3. Emmi, Y., et al.: Air Force Readiness Assessment: How Training Infrastructure Can Provide Better Information for Decisionmaking. RAND Corporation, Santa Monica (2023). https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA992-2.html

  4. Society for Learning Analytics Research. https://www.solaresearch.org/about/what-is-learning-analytics/

  5. Chittaro, L., Van der Pal, J., Oprins, E., Van Puyvelde, M., Taylor, H., Rankin, K.: Skill Fade and Competence Retention: A Contemporary Review. Brussels: North Atlantic Treaty Organization - Science and Technology Organization (2023)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Watz, E., Neubauer, P., Kegley, J., Bennet, W.: Managing learning and tracking performance across multiple mission sets. In: I/ITSEC (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Vatral, C., Biswas, G., Naveeduddin, M., Goldberg, B.: Automated assessment of team performance using multimodal Bayesian learning analytics. In: I/ITSEC (2022)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Thijssen, D., Bosma, R.: Recommendation system in an integrated digital training environment for the 5th generation air force. In: I/ITSEC (2022)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Walsh, M.M., Gluck, K.A., Gunzelmann, G., Jastrzembski, T., Krusmark, M.: Evaluating the theoretic adequacy and applied potential of computational models of the spacing effect. Cogn. Sci. 42(S3), 644–691 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1111/cogs.12602

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Sense, F., et al.: Combining cognitive and machine learning models to mine CPR training histories for personalized predictions. Int. Educ. Data Min. Soc. (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Uddin, I., Imran, A., Muhammad, K., Fayyaz, N., Sajjad, M.: A systematic mapping review on MOOC. IEEE Access (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Tillema, G., Roza, M.: Data-driven and personalized training as a service infrastructure & technologies. In: I/ITSEC 2023, Orlando (2023)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Forrest, N.: Conceptualization and Application of Deep Learning and Applied Statistics for Flight Plan Recommendation. Air Force Institute of Technology, Ohio (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Civil-Military Cooperation Centre of Excellence. Measures of effectiveness (MoE) and measures of performance (MoP). CIMIC Handbook (2020). https://www.handbook.cimic-coe.org/

  15. Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre. Case: Multi-Ship Multi-Type Helicopter Simulation Training Capability (n.d.). https://www.nlr.org/case/case-multi-ship/

  16. Berry, T.: Transportable Flight Proficiency Simulator [Photograph]. Vertical Magazine: Bron (2021). https://verticalmag.com/press-releases/u-s-and-international-crew-members-train-on-flight-simulators-in-germany/

  17. Akerstedt, T., Gillberg, M.: Subjective and objective sleepiness in the active individual. Int. J. Neurosci. 52, 29–37 (1990)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Bessey, A., Waggenspack, L., Schreiber, B., Bennet, W., Jr.: Tackling the human performance data problem: a case for standardization. In: I/ITSEC (2022)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Goldberg, B., et al.: Forging competency and proficiency through the synthetic training environment with an experiential learning for readiness strategy. In: I/ITSEC (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Vatral, C., Naveeduddin, M., Biswas, G., Goldberg, B.: GIFT external assessment engine for analyzing individual and team performance for dismounted battle drills. In: Ninth Annual GIFT Users Symposium (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Twigt, A.: Task Force Defensienota 22 wil samen het verschil maken. De Vliegende Hollander (2023). https://magazines.defensie.nl/vliegendehollander/2023/09/06_successen-van-tf-22_slot

  22. Monaghan, S., Wall, C., Morcos, P.: What Happened at NATO’s Madrid Summit? [Critical Questions] (2022). http://tinyurl.com/444wthkm

  23. Walsh, M., Taylor, W.W., Ausink, J.A.: Independent Review and Assessment of the Air Force Ready Aircrew Program: A Description of the Model Used for Sensitivity Analysis. RAND Corporation, Santa Monica (2019)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study is part of the Adaptive Learning Ecosystem program, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Defense (grant number L2201).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dirk Thijssen .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Ethics declarations

The authors have no competing interests to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Thijssen, D., de Marez Oyens, P., van der Pal, J. (2024). Navigating the Skies: Enhancing Military Helicopter Pilot Training Through Learning Analytics. In: Sottilare, R.A., Schwarz, J. (eds) Adaptive Instructional Systems. HCII 2024. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14727. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-60609-0_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-60609-0_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-60608-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-60609-0

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics