Study of trainin in the Swedish Air Force simulators FMS and MMT

Important concepts for simulator training are fidelity (realism of simulation), presence, motivation, having fun, feedback, learning in simulator and transfer of training to the real system. This report describes a questionnaire study of these concepts for flight simulator training. The study was performed with flight students in their initial part of their education at F7 and concerns training with the flight simulators FMS (Full Mission Simulator) and MMT (Multi Mission Trainer). The results show that voluntary training (performed outside of scheduled training) in MMT is highly valued and is considered to have a positive effect on learning. On scheduled time the students have more training in FMS than in MMT, mainly concerning emergency training, flying in bad weather, training on specific procedures before flying, and to some extent on things that cannot be trained in reality. Training in both simulators is considered fun and motivating. Fidelity and presence is rated higher in FMS than in MMT. The students particularly comment the advantages of the high level of fidelity in FMS. Learning is rated high in MMT and very high in FMS. The ratings of learning in FMS are particularly high for training of basic handling, emergency training, and things that cannot be trained in reality. Training in both simulators is considered to have positive effects on real flying. Although learning is rated markedly higher in FMS, the difference in rated effect on real flying is not big. However, it must be considered that certain items, e.g. training on emergencies and certain items of procedural training, cannot be trained in MMT, because of its lower fidelity