Aviation Computer Games for Crew Resource Management Training

Abstract

Crew resource management (CRM) training programs have existed for more than a decade, yet methods for providing aircrews with opportunities to practice CRM skills have been limited to role plays in class and scenarios in operational flight trainers. There are drawbacks to both training methods; role plays have few, if any, realistic environmental cues to help crews behave as they do in the cockpit, and simulator scenarios are limited by the cost and availability of the simulators. Research using inexpensive, tabletop computer-based simulations as CRM training media was conducted with military aircrews. Reactions of the crewmembers taking part in the research were very positive both in their acceptance of the system in general and as a trainer for CRM skills. This article presents this research and reports the reactions of aircrews to the tabletop simulation. In addition, a series of recommendations are provided regarding the implementation and use of this low-fidelity simulation.