Human Factors Challenges for Extended Reality Aviation Training Simulation

Extended reality (XR) technologies, encompassing augmented, mixed, and virtual reality (AR/MR/VR), hold immense potential for flight training, offering immersive and cost-effective training solutions. However, these systems face several technological challenges, as well as issues related to human factors and ergonomics, that hinder their full integration into aviation training programs, especially for military pilots. These issues must be addressed to ensure an XR-equipped flight simulator provides a realistic and reliable training environment. This requires iterative refinement of XR technologies through a multidisciplinary design approach. To meet these demands, the US Air Force Research Lab's Gaming Research Integration for Learning Laboratory® (GRILL®) conducts research that integrates human factors principles, game-based technology, and rigorous experimental design to increase operational efficiency and effectiveness. Incorporating human factors and ergonomic principles into XR flight training environments can lead to effective, reliable tools for flight training. These takeaways can be utilized across other industries. GRILL scientists are researching these issues, focusing on areas such as adapting simulation training based on biometric data, selecting technology that meets human factors requirements, and establishing best practices for optimizing dynamic XR training environments for intuitive interaction.