Grant: Alliance Grants

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a broad range of global labour disruptions, with one of the most significant being a major shortage of qualified pilots. Although the shortage existed long before the pandemic has exacerbated the issue to one of crisis proportions; pilot training organizations simply cannot meet the demand and this has been recognized by the Canadian Federal government. Flight simulators have the potential to increase the output of trained pilots but are often inaccessible to many flight schools due to cost, availability, and proven training efficacy. Mixed Reality (MR) simulators, which combine aspects of virtual and augmented reality offer a more accessible method and often lower cost means for pilot training. MR simulation can provide highly configurable and realistic flight experiences through real time visual, auditory and haptic feedback. These attributes also enable MR simulators when coupled with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), to act as autonomous dynamically adaptive instructional environments. The data acquired, including trainee assessment can be used to develop an in-depth competency-based pilot training system. The proposed research is focused on designing and developing an intelligent MR aviation simulator, which can provide more efficient and effective pilot training for Canadian flight schools. This will have a direct positive impact on the Canadian pilot shortage, reducing the time and cost of pilot training and improving the environmental and carbon footprint of flight training.