Imagine this - you're flying a line mission, preparing for your brief for the day and suddenly you draw a blank or can’t remember the proper sequence for a procedure you may need to execute shortly. The Captain will be there any minute and you are searching for the procedure and trying to memorize it. You waste 15 minutes trying to remember where it is in the manual, flipping back and forth between a vague table of contents, scouring through old training materials, and then finally find just the relevant part of the procedure which applies to what you need. Fifteen Minutes of hunting to find 15 seconds worth of information. This is what happened to a pilot for a major US airline while they were preparing for a max gross weight takeoff from an unfamiliar airfield. It’s also what led us to our ‘Aha’ moment…

• Split the manual into smaller more digestible “bites” of knowledge

• Show only that checklist item, check, or procedure and show it from the pilots perspective

• Now add a short video (we call it an MByte) describing the specific procedure, side by side with the reference manual or checklist

Video is a much more robust and intuitive way of communicating information than through text or even diagrams. But unfortunately, traditional training methods still heavily rely on dense manuals and the ability of student pilots to recall where to look for the right material

Where Traditional Training Methods Fall Short

The burden of accessing the right training material at the right time isn’t uncommon and it’s a byproduct of the traditional training philosophy. Traditional aviation training often overwhelms pilots with too much information, making it hard to retain critical procedures (old adage we have all heard before “drinking from a fire hose”). Often focusing primarily on practice and iteration to burn things into pilot’s memories, aviation training as an industry, depends on dense manuals as the back up plan for when a pilot needs to look something up that they’ve forgotten. However, the manuals are designed by manufacturers as a comprehensive catch-all for the full library of information that an operator might need, rather than a user-centric reference manual optimized for learners and student pilots. Using these reference materials not only slows down learning but also increases the risk of errors, which is unacceptable in a field where safety is paramount. It leaves pilots struggling to recall essential information after they’ve “learned” it at exactly the time they need it – leading to potential errors, safety risks, and lots of wasted time. 

Cognitive Techniques to Training Pilots

We understand these challenges and have developed innovative solutions to address these shortcomings. By integrating cognitive techniques into our training programs, we are changing the way pilots learn and retain critical information. Our MBytes platform is designed to be a user-centric, frictionless, easy to use system which maximizes training and retention outcomes.

For example, according to Dr. Barbara Oakley, in her research cited in "Learn Like a Pro," there are 3 strategies to help the brain more effectively learn complex information like the skills associated with flying. 

• Chunking: Breaking down each maneuver into smaller, manageable steps. For example, instead of learning an entire flight procedure at once, pilots can focus on mastering individual components, leading to better recall and retention, improving their performance under pressure.

• Spaced Repetition: Training sessions are scheduled at specific directed intervals to reinforce learning. This technique ensures that pilots revisit crucial information over time, moving knowledge from short-term and committing it to long-term memory, so it’s easier to recall when needed.

• Interleaving: Mixing different types of training tasks within sessions. Rather than repeating the same maneuver, pilots can alternate between various exercises as they can quickly and intuitively pull them up on our platform. This enhances their adaptability and prepares them for unexpected scenarios during real flights.

Similarly, as learning expert Scott Young shares in his book "Ultralearning," on mastering complex skills rapidly, we’ve incorporated strategies including direct application of learning, continuous feedback, and maximizing learning efficiency through focused practice. Incidentally, Scott completed MIT’s four-year computer science curriculum in just one year and became fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin Chinese, and Korean by applying these methods:

• Direct Application: We prioritize the approach of learning by doing. Our platform is organized into real-life scenarios, playlists based on logical grouping of information, and a situation based organizational structure that mirror actual flight conditions. Pilots can apply what they’ve learned in ground school or with an instructor by pulling it up in a practical context.

• Feedback: Immediate and constructive feedback is crucial for improvement. Through our app, pilots receive instant feedback on their performance during simulations, practice tests, or in-flight events helping them to correct mistakes and refine their skills on the spot. Instructors and leadership can push specific content to students or our recommendation engine can suggest content through student-specific data analysis.

• Learning Efficiency: We focus on maximizing learning capture that cover essential skills thoroughly yet concisely. Our Mbytes modules are designed to be short (1-2 minutes) so that student pilots can absorb and retain critical information. Too long and they’ll forget steps while they’re watching the instruction.

By integrating these strategies, we’re not only enhancing the learning experience for pilots but also ensuring they achieve mastery more effectively and efficiently. 

How UpskillAir Implements these techniques

These methods aren’t just theoretical; they’re the backbone of how we’ve designed our user-centric learning experiences to ensure pilots and technicians not only absorb information but retain and apply it when it counts most.

• Microlearning Modules: Our platform breaks down complex tasks into concise, focused video modules. These bite-sized lessons make it easier to learn and recall essential procedures, particularly under pressure.

• Spaced Repetition Integration: We’ve built spaced repetition into our training schedules. The platform automatically schedules review sessions at optimal intervals, ensuring that critical knowledge is revisited and reinforced over time. 

• Immediate and Continuous Feedback: Our platform provides instant feedback during assessments, allowing users to correct their mistakes on the spot. This continuous feedback loop ensures that learning is not only faster but also more accurate, helping to prevent errors before they happen in real-life situations.

• Expert-Curated Content: The training content is generated by peer aviation experts, ensuring that every module is both relevant and of the highest quality. The ease with which these MBytes can be recorded and uploaded to the platform facilitates that the learner is seeing the most up-to-date training content. It allows organizations to standardize their procedures and ensure high quality of instruction

• Anytime, Anywhere Access: Flexibility is key in today’s fast-paced environment. UpskillAir is accessible on any device, allowing pilots to train on the go or at home. Whether they need a quick refresher before a flight or a deep dive into a complex maneuver, our platform ensures that they can access the training they need, when they need it.

Elevate Your Training: Experience It Firsthand by Booking Your Demo Now

At UpskillAir, we’re committed to developing better, safer pilots through proven, research-backed methods. Our goal is to enhance skill retention, improve safety, and ensure that every pilot is fully prepared for any situation and we’ve transformed the way our customers train their pilots and staff.

Ready to see how UpskillAir can transform your aviation training?  Schedule a demo today and see the benefits firsthand. We can also customize our platform to fit specifically with your needs. 

Click here to schedule a demo