The Effectiveness of T-6A Instrument Flying Training as Compared to T-37B Training
Abstract
The purpose of this graduate research project was to examine the effectiveness of instrument flying training conducted in the T-6A compared to training in the T-37B to prepare student pilots for follow-on advanced trainer aircraft. The United States Air Force's newest primary trainer, the T-6A, has several technological advances over its predecessor, the T-37B. A general opinion exists among U. S. Air Force primary flying instructors and senior leadership that the T-6A is better equipped than the T-37B to prepare students for follow-on glass cockpits, and significant advances in cockpit technology suggest it might provide a better platform for instrument training. Data was collected for student grades achieved on T-38A advanced trainer instrument maneuvers at Laughlin Air Force Base, and was analyzed to compare performance of 39 prior T-6A students with 35 prior T-37B students. The overall mean of T-6A students' grades surpassed the T-37A students, and the T-6A students had higher average scores on a majority of maneuvers. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Among other conclusions, this suggests that digital glass cockpits do not necessarily offer better fundamental instrument training than older, analog designs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA433541
Entities
People
- Arthur N. Murphey