Impact of Simulator Out-The-Window Visual Display Resolution on Air-To-Ground Skill Performance

Previous research revealed no difference in air-to-air skill performance between instructor pilots who flew a simulator with a narrow out-the-window visual display field-of-view and instructor pilots who flew a simulator with a wide field-of-view. To evaluate the generalizability of these results to a different fidelity dimension, mission, and pilot type, the current study assessed the impact of out-the-window visual display resolution on air-to-ground skill performance of less experienced pilots. In the current study, 18 F/A-18 Fleet Replacement Squadron pilots flew air-to-ground training missions in two simulators that differed in their visual display resolution. F/A-18 subject matter experts assessed pilot performance during the missions using three observer-based instruments. Results revealed a difference in performance between pilots who flew the simulator with a lower-resolution display and pilots who flew the simulator with a higher-resolution display for two out of 12 air-to-ground skills. We discuss the implications of our findings for simulator acquisition