RIFLEBIRD - VFR Flight Training Device

Transcription

1 RIFLEBIRD - VFR Flight Training Device A Recreational, Sport and General Aviation simulator for student training and re-current pilot situational awareness The Riflebird flight simulator (pictured below) uses Windows XP computer technology, X-Plane 9.1 Fight Simulation and Saitek USB cockpit peripherals. The simulator utilises four networked computers and an Android tablet housed in a reconfigurable cockpit to create an immersive simulation environment. The four computers drive the Out the Window (OTW) triple screen display (with geo-typical terrain), the internal cockpit instrument panel, the Instructor Operator Station (IOS) and the instructor s own 2 nd ship. The simulator is designed to make maximum use of commercial off the shelf technology and minimum number of customised components. The simulator is physically constructed of heavy duty water resistant kitchen laminate designed for reliable operation in a club type environment. Being constructed of generic computer components the simulator is maintainable by an operator with basic IT skills or if required a local IT specialist. The simulator is available in Australia as turnkey ready or a user build kit form. Inside the cockpit various Saitek flight simulator controls are used for radios, switches, levers, auto-pilot and warning annunciation. The cockpit also contains a dual lever type throttle control (for twin engine aircraft), a single vernier throttle control as well as a rudder, yoke and joystick primary flight controls. All the primary flight controls can be physically repositioned to suit the aircraft type (or the student s own preference). For example the rudder pedals can be positioned fore/aft, the cockpit floor can be hydraulically raised or lowered, the student s seat can be moved fore/aft with electric up/down enabling students of all shapes and sizes to be positioned at the optimum visual design eye point. Figure 1: Inside the cockpit

2 Technical details - Cockpit Vibrational stimulus is provided to the student utilising a low frequency Butt-Kicker, an audio sub woofer and computer speakers inject ambient cockpit noise. The Rifle Bird simulator is fixed in that no motion cues are applied. Motion platforms such as a Stewart jig require validation against real flight data; this is considered cost prohibitive and too technical for the VFR student. Additional stimulus such as cockpit smoke and red illumination are used to simulate engine fire. Strobe effects are used for electrical faults. All effects can be controlled at the Instructor Operator station (IOS). To assist geographical awareness a moving map using a wireless Android 7 tablet is mounted in the cockpit, utilising Ozi explorer and displaying 1: topographical maps for Australia. An option for using an ipad mini with Oz-runways is also available. Communication to X-Plane (Oz-runways) is via an internal wireless router. Additional en-route radio navigation aids pertaining to the simulation can be displayed on the cockpit instrument panel by selecting the MAP switch on the controls provided. Communication between the student and the instructor can be direct or via headsets using Mumble VOIP software. The instructor has a hot mike while the student is required to use the Push To Talk (PTT) button to transmit. ATC chatter is simulated on the external IOS speakers to create background radio noise and keep the student/instructor communication link clean and free. A touch-pad and numeric keypad are provided in the cockpit for the student to control the instruments (eg set QNH) and enter numeric data (eg GPS) as required to manipulate the cockpit panel. A seat belt is required for lighter students to prevent them sliding forward when closing the cockpit. The cockpit can be opened from either inside or outside at anytime. A step is provided to assist student egress/ingress onto the seat. UPS backup for the electric seat lift and the internal LED lighting is provided to assist access in all conditions, including mains power failure. The step recesses inside the cockpit to prevent external trip hazard while in operation. For access, the cockpit splits fore and aft, rollingalong floor mounted rails (see below). Opening the cockpit also allows the instructor to point to various controls while conducting student inductions. The cockpit is air conditioned and temperature controlled from the IOS with the students comfort in mind, or as part of the simulation environment (i.e. high altitude - low ambient temperature). The cockpit also contains a Reduced Oxygen Breathing Device (ROBD) for simulating altitudes up to 10,000ft mean sea level (MSL). Qualified VFR ground instructors must have suitable medical first aid training to monitor the student while undertaking altitude adaptability tests. Altitude testing up to 10,000 is considered safe as long as the student is continuously monitored through the SPiO2 heart rate/blood 02 level attached to the student s left little finger. The altitude simulation is provided for hypoxia awareness training only, not for altitude acclimatisation.

3 Figure 2: Roll open access Technical details Instructor Operator Station The IOS is located at the rear of the cockpit and contains a limited set of flight controls for the 2 nd ship and a computer console. A small monitor provides OTW for the 2 nd ship. The second ship is used for formation flying or for instructor demonstrated flying capabilities (such as cross wind landings) in follow me scenarios. At the IOS the instructor can set the position of the student s aircraft and the time of day. The instructor can also control numerous environmental weather effects (rain, shear, cloud, pressure, and temperature) as well astraffic and malfunctions to develop and test the student s skills and situational awareness. Many situations that would be regarded too dangerous to be performed in the air can be simulated (eg rear CofG). Additionally simple hand eye motor coordination can be practiced to aid both new and aging pilots at a minimal cost in a safe environment. The IOS displays a moving map (including any simulated radio navigational aids such as VOR, NDB, DME and ILS) of the local region, a vertical decent/ascent profile, repeaters of the students primary flight instruments, three cockpit cameras and a chase view of the students ownship. The cockpit cameras are focussed on the joystick, throttle and student s own face. Cockpit cameras let the instructor monitor the student s interaction with the simulator (eg where are they looking?). The IOS computer console can be switched to repeat the student s instrument panel and controlled with a parallel mouse to assist the student as required. The IOS asynchronously video records the student s chase view, primary instruments and voice communications audio track onto a USB memory stick (for a take home review or post mission debrief).

4 Figure 3: Instructor Operating Station (IOS) Technical details - System The Riflebird flight simulator contains a visual database with geo-typical terrain, radio navigational aids and most airfields, roads and towns found in Australia. Additional details or modifications can be added if required. A start-up a script installed on all computers checks entire system then reports back to the instructor. When computers have reported OK green ticks are indicated to the instructor and hardware selection buttons (i.e. joystick and vernier throttle, or yoke and lever throttle) can be selected at the IOS. When selected, the simulator then configures and defaults to the last aircraft loaded in the training area last used. It takes approximately three minutes for the simulator to configure itself. After configuration the OTW screens become live and the Riflebird flight simulator is ready for Before Flight (BF) checks by the instructor. Upon a successful BF the Riflebird flight simulator is operational and ready for training. Many different types of aircraft can be flown in the simulator; aircraft models can also be modified to create an accurate copy of the club s own trainer or private aircraft as required.

5 Figure 4: Student s Out The Window (OTW) and instrument panel All computers and peripherals used by the simulator are encased in a cockpit like box constructed of moisture resistant double sided 18mm structural kitchen laminate. The cockpit has been designed with CAD tools and requires a large CNC router to cut the components required to build the cockpit. Relatively advanced cabinet making skills are required to construct the cockpit from approximately 300 components. Once constructed the cockpit is then populated with computers, cables, actuators, monitors and additional USB peripherals and tested. When complete the cockpit is split and packed into two major components for transport. Combined the simulator weighs approximately 300kg (not including the instructor or student). The Riflebird flight simulator is designed to comply with Australian office furniture construction standards, to have no internal mechanical pinch points and contains a UPS to provide lighting and seat up/down actuator control in the event of a blackout (ie power loss). A dry powder fire extinguisher is permanently stationed at the IOS. A smoke detector is located in the electronics exhaust vent. Although possible the flight simulator is not currently accredited to the CASA MOS Part 60 Flight Training Device standard. Additional definitions The Riflebird simulator is monolithic in such it does not require additional floor space other than the cockpit itself to operate (ie no additional computer racks). The simulator is stand alone in such that it does not require additional data or a connection to the internet to operate. For power a single 240vAC (10A) GPO is required. The simulator is turn key in such that it requires no additional manual configuration after power up to be operationally ready. To date there are no requirements in the 2013 RAA training syllabus for any synthetic component of flight training, consequently all simulator events are completed entirely at the voluntary will of the instructor and student. The simulator cannot be used as a pass/fail test in any component of the RAA training syllabus. The simulator is used as instructional guide only and may potentially save the student cost by reducing time in the air in a real trainer aircraft.

6 Any occupant actively immersed in the cockpit of the simulator is referred to as a student, any person actively involved in controlling or configuring the environment of the flight simulator is referred to as the instructor. Unqualified instructors shall not give advice or guidance to students while they are using the simulator. Although slightly limited it is possible for a student to fly the simulator without an instructor present. The environment, as defined within the simulator contains: weather effects on the aero-model, the physical effects experienced by the student within the cockpit, and the various equipment state modes that can be induced by the instructor at the IOS (e.g. time of day, cloud cover, ambient temperature, pressure wind speed/direction, fire, smoke etc.).