Transfer of learning is defined broadly as the ability to apply knowledge or procedures learned in one context to new contexts.1 If a habit pattern learned in one context supports an activity performed in another context, it is considered positive. However, if a habit pattern learned in one context interferes with activity performed in another context, it is negative. But habits learned in order to fly one type of airplane may not transfer to another.
For example, the first airplane the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) had me check out in was a support aircraft, a Douglas C-47 “Gooney Bird.” The differences between it and the high performance Northrop T-38, in which I had over 1,200 hours as an instructor pilot, are evident with just a glance at the sleek supersonic jet trainer and the bulky tail-dragger.
