Using high fidelity simulator for aircraft inspection training: development and evaluation

Research in aircraft inspection and maintenance has revealed the criticality of human inspection performance in improving aviation safety. Training has been identified as the primary intervention strategy in improving the quality and reliability of aircraft inspection performance. If training is to be successful, it is clear that we need to provide aircraft inspectors with tools to help enhance their inspection skills and improve performance. In response to this need, a high fidelity inspection-training simulator was developed: (ASSIST: Automated System of Self-Instruction for Specialized Training) - a specialised inspection training software focused on improving aircraft inspection performance. Following the development a detailed performance and usability evaluation was conducted and is reported as a part of this paper.