Jack Hyde: In 1988, Airbus, Boeing, and McDonald-Douglas were providing DOS-based CBT (Computer Based Training), but the same hardware - graphics cards and the like - could not be used for training programs from different manufacturers. So the three companies, some airlines, and a couple of CBT vendors got together and formed the AICC. The point was to make aviation CBT run on a single standardized platform. It grew from there. When the Internet came along, we created a way to manage instruction over the Internet. We're still doing new stuff, for example defining ways for simulations to interoperate with CBT.

News and Views: Can you explain that?

Jack Hyde: Self-directed discovery learning takes too long and can reinforce bad habits, so when simulations are used in aviation training, there is usually an instructor with the learner. No one complains when that happens in a fifteen-million dollar flight simulator, but people wonder why you need an instructor sitting by every learner in front of a five-thousand dollar workstation. We want computers to deliver guidance, assess progress, and adapt the learning path to results, and we don't want a separate proprietary CBT system for simulations.

News and Views: What about plain old Web-based training?

Jack Hyde: Lots of people use our specifications to support Web-based training, what we call Computer Managed Instruction. Not just the aviation industry, but also the energy industry, the military, pharmaceutical companies - everyone, really. Lots of products are certified and we have had more downloads this year than in any previous year.

News and Views: Certified?

Jack Hyde: The AICC uses independent laboratories to certify that products and content conform to our specifications. Certified products have the right to display the AICC logo. Non-certified products may only claim they are 'designed to AICC specifications'.

News and Views: Where does SCORM fit in with the AICC?

Jack Hyde: SCORM uses parts of our specifications, and the key communication piece was developed at a joint meeting that we sponsored. We have a way to define learning paths based on learning objectives and prerequisites. SCORM is looking at something different in that area, and we'll evaluate what they do. Right now, we are compatible with SCORM but our stuff goes further in some areas to meet aviation training needs. That's how we want to keep it.

News and Views: Thanks, Jack!

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