Can PC-Based Systems Enhance Teamwork in the Cockpit?

We used a personal computer (PC)-based flight simulator to develop a crew resource management (CRM) training module. Two-person teams practiced with the simulator and also received feedback from an instructor about their performance. We evaluated training effectiveness by comparing trained teams (N= 24) to control teams (N= 24) in a high-fidelity simulator. Raters who were blind to condition provided evaluations of the teams on both CRM and technical proficiency. The results show positive transfer of training of CRM skills from the PC-based system to the high-fidelity simulator. This study supports the effectiveness of relatively inexpensive PC-based systems for CRM training.