User Experience, Motivation and Self-Efficacy Comparisons Between Virtual Reality and Conventional PC-Based Flight Simulation Training

Abstract

The current project investigated the effect of utilizing Virtual Reality (VR) technologies for flight training by comparing user experience, motivation, and self-efficacy when using conventional desktop flight simulation versus VR flight simulation. This research employed a quasi-transfer of training experiment with 48 participants. Findings showed that VR flight simulation could provide a better user experience and generate a higher level of training motivation than traditional training technologies, while maintaining trainees’ perceptions of self-efficacy. This work contributed positive evidence that VR flight simulation has great potential to be an effective means of flight training and provided a foundation for future research to continue exploring the training effects of VR flight simulation.

Authors

• Zhang, Tianxin Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Frederick, Christina Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Dattel, Andrew Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Blickensderfer, Elizabeth Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Chaparro, Barbara Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Keywords

• virtual reality
• flight training
• user experience
• self-efficacy
• motivation
• Aviation and Space Education
• Human Factors Psychology