William G. Rantz, Alyce M. Dickinson, Gilbert A. Sinclair, & Ron Van Houten.
The effect of feedback on the accuracy of checklist completion during instrument flight training.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
42, 497-509.
This study examined whether pilots completed airplane checklists more
accurately when they receive postflight graphic and verbal feedback.
Participants were 8 college students who are pilots with an instrument
rating. The task consisted of flying a designated flight pattern using a
personal computer aviation training device (PCATD). The dependent
variables were the
number of checklist items completed correctly. A multiple baseline
design across pairs of participants with withdrawal of treatment was employed
in this study. During baseline, participants were given postflight
technical feedback. During intervention, participants were given
postflight graphic feedback on checklist use and praise for improvements
along with technical feedback. The intervention produced near perfect
checklist performance, which was maintained following a return to the
baseline conditions.
DESCRIPTORS: feedback, flight checklists, pilot training