Comparing the Effect of using Simulators and Mental Imagery of Piloting Techniques on the Performance of UAV Athlete Pilots

Many scientific evidence confirms the impact of imagery on the enhancement of learning and performance of sports skills as well as the adjustment of athletes’ emotions and thoughts about the tournament. Therefore, imagination not only facilitates performance but also facilitates the athletes’ thoughts and reactions in the competitions. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of using a simulator with that of imagery of movements in piloting techniques on the performance of UAV athlete pilots.
The present research belongs to the category of applied research and falls in the field of semi-experimental research. The statistical population of this study was Tehran's UAV pilots. Among them, 20 participants were selected by the available sampling method with a mean age of 32.2 years. After the homogenization of the samples based on their ability of mental imagery, they were randomly assigned into two groups, one using a simulator and the other using a simulator plus mental imagery. They were trained in piloting drones for eight weeks.
The results of the study indicated that after eight weeks of specialized training in drone piloting and practicing real-time flights, the simulator had a positive effect on the performance of pilots in actual and practical flights. The use of the simulator in combination with the imagery techniques also had a positive effect on the performance of the pilots and improved their actual flying. A comparison of the two training methods showed that the effect of the combined training technique was significantly greater than the effect of the actual practice on the performance of pilots.
The use of combined training exercises (simulator plus mental imagery) has a positive effect on the learning of piloting techniques and better helps the optimal performance of UAV pilots.