Acceptance testing of FlightSafety International’s FlightSmart integrated pilot performance evaluation and training tool has been successfully completed at Columbus Air Force Base, the Mississippi home of the 14th Flying Training Wing. Unveiled in November following the awarding of a contract to implement the technology on 16 T-6A training devices at Columbus, FlightSmart was developed by FlightSafety and IBM, using the latter's advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI).
Using AI, machine learning, and evidence-based training methodologies, FlightSmart predicts the best approach to a pilot’s learning while providing instructors with what FlightSafety said is a comprehensive understanding of that pilot’s strengths and weaknesses. “FlightSmart collects and analyzes pilot performance data using advanced analytics that are presented on a real-time web-based dashboard,” said FlightSafety strategic management director Bert Sawyer. “FlightSmart facilitates a departure from qualitative-based instruction towards evidence and competency-based training.”
Now that acceptance testing is complete, FlightSafety is working with instructors at Columbus to optimize the design and development of the FlightSmart interface. Plans call for FlightSmart to be used for civilian pilot training.
“FlightSmart serves government and commercial customers alike,” FlightSafety operations special project manager Matt Littrell told AIN. “We are finalizing plans for rolling the product out to our commercial learning centers and are working with several commercial customers, representing multiple facets of the market, on agreements to implement FlightSmart within their training operations.”