Augmenting Flight Training with AI to Efficiently Train Pilots

TL;DR

This paper introduces an AI-based pilot training system that learns from expert instructors to provide real-time feedback to students on straight and level flying maneuvers, enhancing pilot education efficiency.

Contribution

It presents a novel AI pilot trainer that uses behavioral cloning to learn from instructors and offers formative feedback to improve student flying skills.

Findings

AI agent successfully learned flying maneuvers from instructors

The system effectively detects student errors and provides corrective feedback

Enhanced training efficiency demonstrated through pilot feedback

Abstract

We propose an AI-based pilot trainer to help students learn how to fly aircraft. First, an AI agent uses behavioral cloning to learn flying maneuvers from qualified flight instructors. Later, the system uses the agent's decisions to detect errors made by students and provide feedback to help students correct their errors. This paper presents an instantiation of the pilot trainer. We focus on teaching straight and level flying maneuvers by automatically providing formative feedback to the human student.