Navigating the Skies: Enhancing Military Helicopter Pilot Training Through Learning Analytics

Ensuring safety and proficiency in aviation requires effective training and maintenance of pilot skills. Pilots must maintain currency, implying regular flight, though some critical elements (e.g. emergency procedures) are rarely practiced in-flight. Simulator sessions are employed for safe practice and training. Simulators provide more opportunities for pilots to experience sophisticated training without safety risks and dependencies on for example weather and logistics. While human assessors currently evaluate pilot performance, a simulator can provide rich data for assessments, utilizing learning analytics for individual insights. Simulator data (and potentially aircraft data) is not regularly used yet in training to gain insights in performance. Furthermore, current training planning lacks consideration for individual needs, relying on fixed intervals and syllabi. This study aims to investigate how simulator data can be used to assess performance and if it provides valid statements about pilot performance. Thereafter, the data is used to develop a skill retention model accommodating personal differences. The research involves Chinook helicopter pilots from the Royal Netherlands Air Force, using simulator data to create tailored performance metrics for maneuvers. The ongoing study investigates the integration of simulator data into training assessments and aims to contribute valuable insights into pilot performance and skill retention. This paper presents the preliminary findings in the development of learning analytics within this context.