Testing Backward Chaining Ab-initio Flight Instruction

This conceptual/exploratory research updates that previously published in the Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education and Research (JAAER) Vol. 30, Issue 1 (Spring 2021) which asked if backward chaining, ab-initio pilot training decrease time to first solo? The specific focus of the research was the viability of landings instruction as the first ab-initio lesson. The research compared a total of eight respondents in a backward-chained flight instruction methodology against four respondents in a forward-chained flight instruction methodology. All 12 respondents were recruited without previous flight instruction or Pilot-in-Command logged flight time. Ground instruction preceded simulator instruction which was followed by instruction in actual aircraft. A hybrid approach of Grounded Theory/Phenomenology was used to evaluate the respondent’s performance, acceptance of, and attitudes towards the delivered flight instruction. All respondents completed multiple circuits in the traffic pattern on their first flight. Updated research results include: a) exploration and incorporation of refined methodological enhancements, b) qualitative and quantitative evaluation of respondents, c) recognition of previously un-experienced student pilot behavioral outcomes highlighting and reiterating potential risks embedded in conceptual/exploratory research, and d) observational evidence that if the goal is to teach ab-initio pilots to land an aircraft first, backwards chaining methodology may be preferred over the traditional, long-standing forward chained flight instruction methods.