New research suggests that integrating Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTDs) and Augmented Reality (AR) into general aviation pilot training could significantly enhance safety, reduce costs, and modernize learning methods.
Conducted by researchers at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, the 2025 study highlights strong pilot interest in these technologies, pointing to a transformative potential for general aviation.
Key findings include:
Enhanced Emergency Training: FSTDs provide a safe, controlled environment to practice rare, high-risk scenarios, such as engine failures or low-visibility landings.
Cost-Effective Skill Development: Simulators offer a lower-cost alternative to real aircraft training, allowing pilots to refine skills without financial strain.
Augmented Reality’s Promise: AR headsets, such as the Microsoft HoloLens, could make complex procedures more intuitive, enabling self-paced, interactive learning.
“General aviation lags behind commercial aviation in leveraging simulation tools,” said Syed A.Q. Rizvi, one of the study’s lead authors. “This study highlights how simulators and AR can improve safety, affordability, and training outcomes for GA pilots.”
How The Study Was Conducted
For the study, researchers gathered responses from 197 pilots, including student and certificated pilots, with diverse backgrounds in general aviation. The data was collected through an online survey distributed to active members of flying schools in Canada, ensuring all respondents were verified pilots, the researchers noted.
Participants ranged in age from 17 to 65, with the average age of 28. Certificates ranged from private pilot to Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), while flight hours varied significantly, averaging 1,616 hours, the researchers noted.
The researchers also showed participants video demonstrations of AR headsets, “showcasing their potential as interactive training tools,” they said.
Why This Matters for General Aviation
General aviation faces a high incidence of accidents linked to human error — up to 85% of incidents globally, according to the study. FSTDs and AR could help pilots develop situational awareness and procedural proficiency to address this challenge.
For instance, the technology allows flight training to continue during weather-related disruptions, a common issue in Canada and northern U.S. states.
It also offers repetition and precision in training for maneuvers like crosswind landings and emergency responses, as well as enabling scenario-based training that mimics real-world challenges, such as navigating busy airspaces or mountain terrain.
By simulating varied flight conditions, such as weather, terrain, and air traffic scenarios, FSTDs could enhance pilots’ adaptability and decision-making skills, according to the researchers. AR could further reinforce theoretical learning, enabling better preparation for practical flying.
“Imagine practicing emergencies repeatedly without any risk or expense of fuel — it’s a game-changer,” said one flight instructor who participated in the study.
Looking Ahead
To make this happen, the researchers note there will need to be a revision to regulations. For example, current Canadian regulations cap FSTD training hours at five for private pilot certificates, while the FAA caps it at 2.5 hours.
According to the researchers, expanding those hours could provide pilots with “more cost-effective and comprehensive training while still adhering to high safety and competency standards.”
While challenges like regulatory flexibility, pilot perceptions, and financial constraints remain, the study’s findings suggest a bright future for general aviation training.
The researchers encourage all those involved in the industry, from regulators, to flight schools and technology providers, “to collaborate on expanding simulator adoption and exploring AR applications to modernize the GA training ecosystem.”
The researchers note that pilots should advocate for simulator access at their flying schools, while the schools should invest in simulators and AR tools to “enhance” their curriculums and regulators should explore updating policies to allow greater use of advanced training technologies.
“By embracing these innovations, the GA community can ensure a safer, more efficient, and accessible future for aspiring and current pilots alike,” the researchers concluded.
To read the full research paper, go to Nature.com
