01 / VR-SIM
Virtual Reality Flight Simulation
Although flight programs have started implementing flight simulation in their curriculum, ab-initio pilots are currently trained mainly in a real aircraft, leading to increased fuel consumption, cost, and incidents and accidents. At the same time, the looming international pilot shortage requires increasing the number of pilots without sacrificing safety and quality. Enabling the use of VR simulation in flight training will allow programs worldwide to use high fidelity, low footprint simulators and pre-designed flight scenarios in their curriculum, decreasing the cost of training and increasing its efficiency.
This research follows pilots over the course of their training and provides them with opportunities to prepare and practice flights in both FAA-approved physical flight simulators and experimental VR flight simulators, comparing performance and outcomes to make recommendations for the design and use of VR equipment in aviation. The research advances understanding of how humans learn in complex VR environments, validating VR as a training device option and reducing the cost and time of highly advanced training.
National Science Foundation CAREER award — "Using virtual reality to
advance research and learning and promote positive skill transfer in
complex environments with applications in enhanced flight training."
Originally awarded as #2237851; continued at Auburn University as
#2505815.
View award on nsf.gov →
Open-Source Tools & Resources
Research algorithms, ground training material, and flight simulation modules developed under this grant, released in an open-source format.
Research Algorithms
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Flight data plugin for X-Plane for LSL implementation — a lightweight plugin for X-Plane that streams user-selected "datarefs" (flight parameters) to Lab Streaming Layer (LSL) in real time, useful for real-time visualization in instructor stations or human-in-the-loop studies, including time-syncing flight data to other participant data such as heart rate and eye-tracking. Paper · Poster
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Flight data converter — converts flight data between X-Plane, Garmin G1000, and Flight Data Recorder formats for a unified analysis format; converting G1000 data to the Flight Data Recorder format also lets a simulator training flight be replayed for maneuver review.
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Real-time physiological and flight data dashboard — taps into multiple LSL data streams to display time series of all parameters in real time.
Ground Training Material
A self-paced training course to prepare students for the FAA knowledge test and the oral portion of the checkride is under development. In the meantime, instructors and students can use the lesson plans and other training materials (student workbook, presentations) made available here.
Flight Simulation Modules
Coming soon — scaffolded training modules to help aviation enthusiasts learn to fly in the simulator, compatible with X-Plane 11 and 12.
Associated Publications
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Alarcon-Aneiva, L.J., Fala, N. Enhancing Student Pilot Training Through Real-Time LLM-Driven Maneuver Feedback.
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Alarcon-Aneiva, L.J., Fala, N. Optimizing Student Pilot Learning Through Skill Development Prediction and Tracking.
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Alarcon-Aneiva, L.J., Fala, N. Real-Time Synchronization of Flight Simulation and Physiological Data Using Lab Streaming Layer: A Custom X-Plane Approach. pp. 222–227. Paper · Poster
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Alarcon-Aneiva, L.J., Fala, N. Oscillation and Amplitude Based Unsupervised Flight Maneuver Scoring: A Data-Driven Pilot Expertise Measure. pp. 108–113.