Systems Technology INC, Valentine Technologies Ltd & Automatisering en Adviesbureau
IMPROVING AIRCREW EMERGENCY SAFETY TRAINING THROUGH ENHANCED VIRTUAL REALITY PARACHUTE SIMULATION
Jeffrey R. Hogue, Steve Markham, Arvid and Cris Harmsen
Ejection or egress from a non-flyable military aircraft is a rapid, highly stressful, and dangerous event, requiring quick but orderly, virtually automatic decision making and physical reactions. Virtual Reality (VR) parachute simulation training was developed and has been evolving as an answer to this critical need as it has become a widespread and accepted standard in U.S. and allied Navy and Air Force Aviation Physiology, Survival, and Life Support installations. Originally developed as a simple, low-cost, part-task canopy control trainer, this paper explains how the simulator now provides a complete and immersive emergency learning experience starting with manual or automatic canopy deployment, parachute malfunctions flight and correction dynamics, canopy collision avoidance, equipment procedures, and flight control and landing. This training includes automatic and instructor controlled performance assessment during and after the experience, and has been documented, specified, and incorporated into military lesson plans. Recent enhancements have been made in simulation equipment, user interface and rapid real world location-specific, highly detailed scene graphics. VR training has resulted in dramatic improvements in aircrew emergency performance.
To download the full paper CLICK HERE (.PDF)
