Flight simulators play a key role in the training of military aircrew. They provide an environment in which the aircrew may train and practice procedural and flight tasks under the close observation of qualified instructors. The instructor is responsible for controlling the training event, evaluating performance, and providing feedback. As training requirements increase and simulators become more complex, so does the task of operating and interacting with them. Most of this complexity involves the Instructor Operator Station (IOS), the interface between the instructor and the simulator and between the instructor and the trainee. The quality of training received from these devices depends a great deal on the instructor's ability to monitor aircrew activities. Thus, these devices incorporate instructional support features to aid the instructor, but their utilization is the exception rather than the rule. This is not because instructors are incapable of the task, but because the complexities of operation require substantial training and experience in order for these features to be used effectively.

This indicates a failure to properly analyze the task of the instructor in designing the IOS around his needs. The purpose of this paper is to provide a general overview and discussion of instructional features from a user's standpoint. The intent is not to document the merits of instructional features, but provide insight into user needs. The information presented is based on interviews with simulator instructors and observation of simulator training sessions at numerous Navy and Air Force simulator training facilities.