Extended reality (xR) flight simulators as an adjunct to traditional flight training methods: a scoping review

Abstract

Abstract Over the next 20 years, it is predicted that an additional 760,000 new pilots will be needed to meet the growing demands of the global aviation industry. With current training capability, this may be difficult to achieve. A potential means of improving the efficiency and lowering the cost of flight training, which arguably may be prohibitively expensive to many potential trainee pilots, is to use extended reality simulation in place of traditional flight simulators and aircraft for at least some of the required training. To provide a better understanding of the possibilities in this regard, and where current research has advanced, a scoping review was undertaken. In total, 18 studies were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. It was concluded that extended reality technology has the potential to be successfully employed in flight training—saving time and money, whilst also enabling increased training capability, although some potential limitations were identified. The interest in this technology, combined with evidence pointing to its potential usefulness in flight training, suggests that further examination in this area by academia and industry is warranted.