FAA To Test Virtual Reality Headsets for Helicopter Pilot Training (bloomberg.com) 7
US aviation regulators are turning to a small Swiss technology startup to rethink how helicopter pilots are trained. From a report: The Federal Aviation Administration will evaluate virtual reality technology in flight simulators for the first time, taking delivery of systems from Zurich-based Loft Dynamics, the company said Monday. The technology combines VR headsets with a frame replicating the control panel and cockpit of a helicopter, but at a scale significantly smaller than traditional full-motion setups. Two simulators -- one to train pilots on Airbus SE's H125 helicopter and another for the Robinson R22 -- have been installed at the FAA's R&D facility in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The FAA often explores the use of new technologies in aviation and has extensive development programs, many of which don't result in commercial deployments. While this is the first time the regulator will review VR headsets as a training tool, it's for the narrow helicopter market and wouldn't apply to commercial planes. Additionally, the agreement with Loft Dynamics does not equate to certification of its tech in the US.
From the moment a helicopter... (Score:1)
...leaves the assembly line, all it wants to do is kill you.
I will NEVER, get on one of those things again.
Re: (Score:2)
all it wants to do is kill you.
Maybe that statement is more about you than the helicopters...
Re: (Score:2)
Does it reproduce the pressure waves? (Score:2)
Just saying, if you're training existing pilots on new equipment then such things are probably fine. If you're training new pilots with the equipment and it doesn't reproduce the full experience you may find surprises like that.
Vast differences (Score:3, Interesting)
Flight training devices (FTDs) which include simulators and VR and NVGs are great. The situational awareness is expanded and the relative cost isn't per flight-hour but rather one-time plus maintenance and updates. The choice of the R22 makes little sense, as it is the cheapest helicopter on which to train, has no extra cockpit room for even a helmet (unless you're really short) and is used by people with no experience, such that any distraction like a VR headset would be too distracting. It's main rotor blades (MRBs) turn counter-clockwise, as do most American helicopters. Typical avionics are one COM (radio) one NAV (GPS) and very light performance.
The H125, formerly AStar, Formerly AS325, Formly Ecuriel, also Squirrel is a turbine aircraft with clockwise-rotating main rotor blades. This matters because all muscle-memory actions that involve anti-torque ("anti-yaw") methods means the "other leg" must now be used on the pedals. It is more forgiving than the R22 but planning for turbine spoolup means some things need more anticipation. Typical avionics are 2-3 COMs, 2 NAVs, and exceptional performance allowing it to serve EMS and SAR roles.
To say these are as far apart as one can get in civilian helicopters is not exaggerating. If one was to develop VR or AR headsets, they would be more useful for the high-performance experience-pilot life-or-death mission roles, not the student pilot paying $250 to learn to fly.
OB DISC: I am an FAA Certificated Commercial Helicopter Pilot. These are my opinions, based on facts acquired through flying these and various other aircraft.
Ehud
Tucson 114F Arizona US
AI (Score:2)
Artificial Idiocy. High tech should be used to automate helicopters, not train pilots to operate ridiculous UI machines. Helicopter controls are hell, unchanged since 1950 as best I can tell.