ABSTRACT
Real-time simulators are widely used in Air Traffic Control. They originated as training tools, by analogy with pilot trainers, and have become more elaborate as the tools of air traffic control have become more elaborate, Simulators are generally used for training, and, to a lesser extent, as research tools, As research instruments, they suffer from some major drawbacks. They are extremely expensive, and at the same time rigid and difficult to control. Modern digital simulators are extremely difficult to program, and, although the experimental psychology paradigm is generally accepted, its application is, in practice, fraught with difficulties . It is assumed by users of real-time simulation that training and experimental results derived from simulation transfer to the real world, but there are some reasons to think that this is not always the case. Subjective and 'objective' methods are available for the measurement of simulations, and some statistical analysis is employed, but few of these methods could be defended in a court of law. Simulation can, however, be used effectively where the purpose of the simulation is well understood, for example, in the formation of teams, the rehearsal of emergency procedures or the maintenance of formal skills.
