From Simulators To Skies: Engineering and Educational Advancements in Pilot Training: a Bibliometric Perspective

Abstract

The integration of advanced engineering innovations into pilot training has brought transformative changes to aviation education, emphasizing the role of technologies such as flight simulators, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI). This study employs a bibliometric analysis to explore research trends, influential contributors, and thematic focuses in pilot training from 2000 to 2025, using data from 350 peer-reviewed articles indexed in the Web of Science. Findings reveal a significant rise in publications during the last decade, driven by advancements in simulation technologies, competency-based training, and human factors research. While the field has experienced rapid technological evolution, challenges such as cost barriers, integration complexities, and gaps in long-term performance evaluation remain. This paper highlights emerging trends, including competency-based training and assessment (CBTA) and scenario-based training (SBT) as well as physiological monitoring, offering a comprehensive roadmap for future research and innovation in aviation training.