Design and Validation of Virtual Reality Application Operations Manual for Avionics Technology Program

Abstract

This study titled "Design and Validation of Virtual Reality Application Operations Manual for Avionics Technology Program", addressed the operational and technological gaps associated with integrating standalone Virtual Reality (VR) systems into aviation education at WCC Aeronautical and Technological College (WCC ATC) Binalonan. While immersive tools such as Boeing 737, Airbus 320, and Cessna 172 simulation modules provided safe, high-fidelity environments for developing technical proficiency and muscle memory, their institutional use remained provisional due to the absence of formalized standard operating procedures. Utilizing a descriptive-evaluative approach combined with the Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM) and a modified Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework, the study evaluated the existing infrastructure supporting Meta Quest 3 and 3S hardware. Data gathered from sixty-nine respondents, comprising avionics students and laboratory instructors, alongside evaluations from a panel of seven subject matter experts, identified key technical bottlenecks including firmware maintenance, battery management, and cybersecurity protocols. The research instrument achieved a high Scale-Content Validity Index (S-CVI) of 0.96. Post implementation evaluations revealed significant improvements across all assessed domains, yielding high general weighted averages for hardware gap analysis (4.21), guideline requirements (4.39), and operational guideline validation (4.36), with a general weighted average of 4.30. The resulting validated operations manual successfully established comprehensive standards for pre-operational calibration, pedagogical integration, cybersecurity compliance, laboratory safety, and routine equipment maintenance. Ultimately, this study transitioned the department from experimental trials to a professionalized, secure, and sustainable digital training environment.