One of the most valuable sensors installed in any AuxAir aircraft is the experienced eyes and ears of a boater.

While experimenting with installing two additional crew seats behind the pilots in the simulator, researchers were interested in whether there was any benefit to providing TCOs, Coxswains, and Boatcrew the opportunity to experience the aviation portion of the operational triad from the airborne perspective.

Not merely as observers, but as active participants in the flight crew during a patrol, including taking part in the preflight briefing, enroute duties, and post-flight activities.

In a proof-of-concept experiment to determine if simulation pre-flight training would be a beneficial component in training experienced boaters or communicators to become aircrews, two four-person crews were formed, each consisting of a pilot, an air crewmember, a TCO, and a surface crewmember.

Two patrols were conducted, with each crew serving as either the flight crew or the ground-based communications facility crew, then swapping roles for the second patrol.

Over four hours, eight operational members participated in both an airborne patrol and a ground-based communications and plotting facility, where everyone exchanged thoughts, questions, and ideas throughout the exercise.

Feedback indicated that these participants were better prepared and understood more during the airborne segment of their training, such as air-to-ground communications and transferring data between nautical and AEROnautical charts.