Augmented Reality life-size flight panel for checklist training

A pre-flight checklist requires in-depth technical knowledge of the aircraft and its dashboard, avionics, instruments, functions, and cabin layout. The student in training to be a pilot or advanced pilot, to obtain an updated certification, must know very thoroughly each instrument and its position on the flight panel. Every second spent searching for the location of an instrument, switch or indicator can waste time completing the checklist, resulting in a poor start-up procedure and possibly a safety hazard. This paper reports preliminary findings of using augmented reality (AR) technology in a training setting. The objective of this research was to obtain preliminary data to determine if the use of AR as a human interface for training can help pilots improve their skills and help them learn new flight panel layouts of different aircraft more efficiently and effectively than traditional training methods. For this research, the methodology used was Human-Centered Design (HCD) which is a multidisciplinary process that involves many actors who collaborate on design skills, including people who belong to this process such as flight instructors, students, and pilots. A mobile / tablet application prototype was created for the user to have in their pocket, a rich experience with enough detail of a flight panel of a Cessna150, an aircraft used in training flights at the Santa Catarina Aero club. The tests were applied in Brazil and the results showed a good response and acceptance from the users from the users from the users.