Reflection and Perspective: Enhancing Case-Based Learning in Aviation

Abstract

Previous research has suggested that individuals have an ability to learn from their previous experiences and use this information in future situations. Pilots have reported an ability to recall previous accident reports they have read and used this information in similar situations to aid in their decision making. Despite previous investigation in this area, research is lacking on the mechanisms which enable pilots to learn from the experiences of others, for example through accident reports. Specifically, what are the best ways to encode information in accident reports to enhance the use of that information in future situations? The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of reflection in the self-perspective of accident reports and the use of this information in a future simulated flight. Participants in the study were exposed to a Flight School PowerPoint and an accident report. In this report, the accident either occurred due to low altitude, which was related to their simulated task, or an engine failure which was unrelated. Participants were either instructed to read the report and think about the details in the case, or to imagine that they were the pilot and make notes on cues they may have experienced, as well as the decisions they made and alternative options. All participants took part in training flights and a criterion flight, which included a simulated search operation. It was found that reflection in the self-perspective on a related report resulted in higher minimum altitudes in a simulated flight a week later. It was also found that this reflection in the self-perspective did not influence how much information could be recalled from the accident reports. These results suggest that reflection on a related accident report, in the self-perspective, influenced the transfer of information to a future situation, but may not have affected how much information individuals’ were able to recall from a report.