Professional reflection – Mixed reality to augment the next generation of aviation professionals
Lori J. Brown · 2019
The Next Generation of Aviation Professionals entering the industry respond differently to various teaching and learning styles and digital information. The operation and maintenance of modern aircraft requires an understanding of several interrelated human and machine components requiring practice and immersion. The aviation educational experience can be enhanced with serious gaming, augmented, mixed and virtual reality (VR). VR is widely used in the aviation industry and is becoming more and more affordable for end users. Augmented reality (AR) is prevalent in many industries including automotive, education, hospitality, aviation, healthcare, retail, construction, oil mining, and maritime. The advantages of AR extend past aircraft systems, maintenance, pilot and cabin training to many aspects of aviation education, such as weather. ‘Interpreting and understanding weather products is critical to hazardous weather avoidance, and previous studies have indicated that improving understanding of weather and weather products can improve pilot decision making, situational awareness and increase flight safety’.