As part of the Army's effort to use synthetic devices to improve training, researchers evaluated a captive helicopter attached to a ground effects machine. Experimental groups received varying amounts of pre-flight practice tasks designed to develop flight skills, while control groups received no device training. Student flight performance during the 85 hour primary helicopter training program provided criterion measures. Significant results included that: 1) the attrition from flight training for the experimental groups was lower; 2) experimental groups required less time to qualify for solo flight; 3) experimental groups received higher grades from flight instructors; 4) individual performance on the device correlated positively with subsequent flight training performance; and 5) the flight experience of the device instructor did not affect student flight performance. It was concluded that the device lowered student failures, improved their performance, and served as a predictor of student flight proficiency levels. (PB)