Last Week’s Poll Results: AI Skepticism

I find it interesting that there is so little discussion on a topic that is going to significantly impact aviation. Like it or not, aviation training teaches and tests precisely the same things over and over. There is very little difference between teaching methods because we are all seeking exactly the same outcome, i.e. passing the written and practical tests which are forced by the FAA to be applied exactly the same way every time. Because of this, successful educators end up saying and doing almost exactly the same things. It is pretty well scripted. What that means is that it lends itself to GOOD automation. Enter “AI” or better still, the Large Language Model (LLM).

I like to try new things so I have suggested to my students that they try Grok, with its outstanding voice interface, to simulate the oral portion of the practical test. I am amazed at just how good it is. It feels like a real oral and it is able to understand and dig-down into the students’ understanding or lack thereof. So here we have an immediate application of the technology. The price is right and it extends the capability of an instructor to focus in other areas and still provide fully-balanced instruction. I do not think it will be long before LLMs take over teaching ground school. To my instructor peers I say, “Use it or be left behind.” The good instructors, the ones you know, are already doing it.