Investigating the potential of a virtual reality training simulator for aerial firefighting and air attack supervision.

Type of content
Theses / Dissertations
Publisher's DOI/URI
Thesis discipline
Human Interface Technology
Degree name
Doctor of Philosophy
Publisher
University of Canterbury
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
English
Date
2020
Authors
Clifford, Rory M.S.
Abstract

This thesis investigates the design and implementation of a virtual training system for Air Attack Supervisors (AASs), an understudied, complex decision-making domain which plays a critical leadership role in large scale aerial wildfire firefighting. The AAS operates as a co-pilot from a helicopter known as the Air Operations Platform (AOP) and must be effective at directing helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft from a tactical aerial viewpoint.

While there are many talents which make a high quality AAS such as leadership, Crew Resource Management (CRM), emotional intelligence and self-awareness, the AAS relies on three core abilities: situation awareness, effective communication and their decision making ability in stressful environments. These core abilities are fundamental skills required for effective AAS and are the focus of this training simulator design. This thesis addresses the problem of the training deficit in high-stress, high-risk aviation-based wildfire firefighting.

A computer-based Virtual Reality Training System (VRTS) was designed following research and development principles focused on creating user goal-focused training, with immersive multi-sensory Virtual Reality (VR) to provide low-cost any-time situated training experiences for Naturalistic Decision Making (NDM) in aerial firefighting. This system enhances the state-of-the-art in simulation training as this particular domain is unexplored academically, and current real- world training solutions are not only expensive, but are also dangerous, lack in cognitive challenges, and do not immerse trainees in a typical multi-actor aerial firefighting response situation. This limits the psychological stress and challenges normally experienced in a real-world wildfire.

The following key lessons are learned from this research: psychological fidelity is more important to an effective training system over physical fidelity. Situation Awareness (SA) is better acquired through immersive displays. Expert AAS users find a way to overcome communication problems to ensure their instructions are delivered. Heart-Rate Variability (HRV) measurements between real-world field and VRTS training exercises showed no significant difference between the training types suggesting similar stress levels are obtained in each condition.

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