Pilot Training Modalities in Aviation: A Systematic Review of Their Impact on Safety

Abstract

Aviation safety remains a global concern, with human error a leading cause of incidents and accidents. This systematic review synthesizes findings from 22 studies (2015–2024) on the impact of pilot training, organized into six themes: simulation-based training, scenario- and task-based training, organizational and academic programs, checklist-, workshop-, and paper-based methods, safety culture and fatigue management, and cognitive adaptation to technology. Simulation and scenario-based training improved situational awareness, hazard recognition, and decision-making under stress. Organizational and academic programs, particularly those embedded in Safety Management Systems, strengthened safety climate and proactive risk management. Checklist and workshop approaches effectively addressed hazardous attitudes and reinforced procedural discipline, while safety culture and fatigue management interventions targeted systemic risks and resilience. Training for cognitive adaptation supported older pilots in transitioning to advanced cockpit technologies. Most studies focused on commercial aviation, with limited evidence from other sectors and few evaluations of long-term outcomes. Future research should integrate these modalities and assess their sustained impact on safety performance.

Keywords: Pilot Training, Aviation Safety, Human Factors, Safety Culture, Resilience Training

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1006954