Ryan Aerospace yesterday launched a new helicopter simulator that enables pilots to train for vertical referencing and long-line operations.
The Helimod Mark III uses a virtual reality headset to create a simulated cockpit that provides pilots with a complete 360-degree view, including upwards and downwards. Pilots can lean out of the sim seat and look down at a slung load, which also reinforces the basics of hovering "head out the window".
The Helimod III can also be used to do simulated ab-initio hover training, effects of controls, secondary effects of controls and autorotation entries.
Because of the need to project an environment from several different viewpoints, the virtual reality has fully-immersive, 3D stereoscopic visuals and a two head-tracking sensors, and the system runs on a super high-end, fully configured PC.
However, Ryan Aerospace Managing Director Chris Ryan acknowledges that virtual reality is in its infancy and has its limitations. For example, the image projected into the pilot’s eyes can be fractionally blurry making it difficult to read some instruments. Further, it’s a little difficult to interact with knobs buttons and switches.
According to Ryan, it was best to focus on what could be done with virtual reality rather than what couldn't be done.
“When learning to fly vertical reference, it’s all about getting the head out the window and looking down," he said. "In this case, you don’t really need to worry so much about the instruments or fiddling with knobs."
Helimod Mark III can also be used without the virtual reality, using LCD screen or projectors for the visuals.
More information on the Helimod Mark III is on the Ryan Aerospace website.