COURSE OF ACTION TRAINING FOR HELICOPTER PILOTS
Rick Archer and Brett Walters
Micro Analysis & Design, Inc.
Boulder, Colorado
Jay Shively and Lynne Martin
Aeroflightdynamics (AMRDEC)
US Army Aviation and Missile Command
Ames Research Center
Moffett Field, CA
Abstract
A number of studies by various helicopter safety organizations have concluded that pilot error in decision-
making is a root cause in a significant percentage of helicopter accidents. The studies have also indicated that
instruction and practice in critical decision-making is not a part of many helicopter pilot training programs. To
address this problem, a project to develop a low-cost simulator for pilot decision training was initiated. The decision
training tool is a combination of computer-based simulation, full motion video, still photography, audio, and
feedback. For the purpose of developing robust and realistic mission scenarios for the simulation tool, 17
emergency medical service pilots participated in interviews to identify events that require critical decision-making.
This paper describes the development of the first mission scenario, formative evaluation, and implementation plans
for fielding the decision trainer.
Biographical Sketch:
Rick Archer is a Principal Analyst at Micro Analysis and Design. He was involved with the early design
and development of the Micro Saint simulation software and has been developing simulation models for
15 years for a number of training, human performance, and process reengineering applications.
Brett Walters is a Staff Human Factors Engineer at Micro Analysis and Design. Mr. Walters has been
developing simulation models of human behavior and human-system function allocation for the past two
years.
Lynne Martin is a social psychologist researching human performance in rotorcraft. She is currently
involved in developing decision making
training for pilots.
Jay Shively is involved with the design and development of cognitive models and simulations for aviation
applications. Currently, he is modeling training, human error and human situation awareness events.
