Enhancing Pilot Skills: The Effectiveness of Preflight Simulation Training

Abstract

This study examined the perceived effectiveness of pre-flight simulation training in developing the competencies of student pilots at Indiana Aerospace University, particularly in relation to flight readiness, knowledge of aircraft systems and procedures, decision-making, reaction time, situational awareness, multitasking, maneuver proficiency, safety, error reduction, and preparation for actual flight conditions. The study was informed by experiential learning, cognitive load, behavioral learning, situated learning, schema, deliberate practice, and transfer-of-learning perspectives that explain how simulation, repetition, feedback, and realistic practice may support competency development. A quantitative descriptive survey design was employed using a survey questionnaire administered to 110 randomly selected senior high school and college Aviation Technology Major in Flying students. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, and weighted mean. Results showed consistently high perceived effectiveness of pre-flight simulation training across the assessed competencies. Flight readiness and willingness to recommend simulation training obtained the highest weighted means of 4.88, followed by its perceived contribution to aviation safety at 4.79 and instructor guidance at 4.76. Availability of sufficient simulator practice time received the lowest, although still high, weighted mean of 4.42, indicating a potential area for institutional attention. Overall, respondents perceived simulation training as beneficial for strengthening knowledge, technical competencies, emergency preparedness, confidence, safety awareness, and readiness for real-world flight conditions. The study recommends further integration of structured simulation activities, instructor guidance, feedback, updated training technologies, and continuing simulation exposure in aviation education, while future research should examine long-term skill retention and objectively measured flight performance. The study primarily supports SDG 4—Quality Education and SDG 9—Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, with a secondary connection to SDG 8—Decent Work and Economic Growth. Its sustainability impact lies in strengthening educational, technological, institutional, safety, and workforce development practices within aviation training.