The use of personal computer-based aviation training devices to teach aircrew decision making, teamwork, and resource management

The recent advent of the Personal Computer-Based Aviation Training Device (PC-ATD) allows flight education programs to provide low-cost realistic multi-crew simulated cockpit environment that can be used to teach the fundamentals of crew resource management (CRM) and decision making. PC-ATDs are personal computer-based flight simulation devices that can simulate several different single- and multi-engine two pilot aircraft. The flight simulation and the multi-crew arrangement allow an instructor to engage students in a variety of scenarios where they can directly apply the principles and theories of cockpit and crew resource management to realistic situations. In addition to procedural training, the PC-ATD allows an instructor to present various exercises to illustrate and reinforce CRM techniques in an airline and aircraft specific operational environment. In addition, instrument display and cockpit video recorders can be easily incorporated into the PC-ATD to allow an instructor and the flight crew to review the flight for further instruction and evaluation.