The Effect of Electronic Flight Bags in Flight Training on Preflight Skill Development and Aeronautical Decision Making

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of utilizing Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) in flight training with emphasis on preflight skill development and Aeronautical Decision Making. The study participants were student pilots or private pilots who used EFBs in flight training and had not logged more than 100 total flight hours. The study utilized a simulation of the preflight process of a Visual Flight Rules cross country flight in which the participants answered questions related to the flight preparation. Fifty percent of the study’s population completed this survey with the information provided through an EFB and the other 50% population had to answer the questions without an EFB using traditional unabridged raw data. A comparative analysis of the data collected from both groups was performed. The largest degradation of performance was noted in Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) interpretation and the least degradation in performance was noted in weather-related decision-making.