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Thanks to the technological evolution of graphic boards, the virtual world where pilots fly in-flight training devices is more realistic than ever. Thanks to that, pilots are more immersed during training, which improves the quality of the lessons.”
- Nacho Navacerrada, business manager, Entrol
ADVANCES IN VISUAL SIMULATION AND CAPABILITY: This is a critical element because so much of a helicopter’s mission is in VFR conditions or relies on visual elements. The pilot needs to see that log landing pad or that hospital rooftop. When we look at the visual subsystem elements, the main technology is graphics cards and their graphic processing units, projector technology, and the image generators (IGs) that render the simulator’s visual. The IG is what draws the out-the-window view of all flight simulators. Projector technology today allows for very large, uninterrupted fields of view (FOV) that can re-create the same visual environment one would see when sitting in the helicopter.
AVIONICS SIMULATION AND INTEGRATION: The ability to accurately integrate advanced avionics into simulation is a clear and obvious advantage to training outcomes. Since the avionics explosion in the 1990s, many of these advanced systems have found themselves adapted into helicopter platforms too. Today, fully integrated avionics with GPS, moving maps, 3- and 4-axis automatic flight control systems (AFCS), and terrain warning systems are commonplace in both twin- and single-engine helicopters.
ADVANCED MOTION SYSTEMS: Helicopter motion systems and algorithms and vibration cues specific to rotorcraft and the hardware systems that reproduce these cues are critical to improving realism in the cockpit. Many earlier helicopter simulators that used large Level D motion systems also used the EOM for the system supplied by the motion system OEM. In many cases, these 6DoF EOMs were optimized for fixed- wing flight characteristics, and did not focus on reproducing the subtle nuances or dynamics of rotorcraft aerodynamics. Motion bandwidth for these older systems would typically be in the 10-12 Hz range because of all the weight and inertia involved with these large systems. With today’s short-stroke 6DoF motion and cueing systems, motion cues are delivered at 60 Hz so the “seat of your pants” feel is being delivered at a much faster rate. Especially with light, unaugmented helicopters, we can feel the aircraft moving before any visual or instrument clues tell us that.
ADVENT OF EXTENDED REALITY: Virtual, mixed, and augmented reality applications, or the conglomerate of those techs, deserve a spot here with a placeholder for future development. Early implementations of extended-reality technology in aviation training have shown some promise. There are certainly areas that have benefited from improved training options via something that is more deployable and less costly, so that practicing specific tasks (with positive transfer) can be done more frequently.
64 May/June 2021 Video: Entrol
The amalgamation and cohesive use of technological advancements for realistic mission training cannot be overstated. Many of these technologies listed cannot stand on their own. In a flight simulation environment, if any of these elements doesn’t perform at very high levels, in a cohesive fashion with the other elements of the simulation, then chances are, you are going to miss out on the training value that could be achieved otherwise.”
- Randy Gawenda, business development manager, FRASCA International
MACHINE LEARNING AND BIG DATA: Big data and machine learning algorithms will undoubtedly play a larger role in the future, with the goal of enhancing pilot training programs by evaluating the collected data of a pilot’s performances during simulated flight lessons.
IMPROVED FLIGHT MODELING ACCURACY: Current FFS and FTDs feature aircraft-type-specific flight models to meet regulations and the training provider’s requirements. Significant data is collected for flight modeling by flying the real helicopter. With more accurate data and flight modeling, FFS and FTDs will behave like the real helicopter, and therefore pilots can perform normal and emergency procedures more safely and cost-effectively.
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