Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-mwx4w Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-02T03:33:00.343Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The impact of flight simulation in aerospace

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 February 2016

D. J. Allerton*
Affiliation:
d.j.allerton@sheffield.ac.uk, Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield

Abstract

This paper explains how flight simulation has made a major contribution to flight safety over the last thirty years to become critical to the operation of civil airlines and military organisations. It not only provides effective training, but for many flight training organisations has reduced the cost of flight training significantly. The paper outlines the increasing role of flight simulation covering flight training and research and development of aircraft and systems. The contribution of the flight simulation industry to the UK economy, in terms of both employment and revenue, is highlighted.

The paper focuses on advances in the underpinning technologies of flight simulation, including mathematical modelling, real-time computation, motion actuation, visual image generation systems and projection systems.

The paper also summarises the broadening roles of flight simulation; from part-task trainers to zero flight-time training in civil aviation; in military aviation, extending to combat domes and mission rehearsal; in defence procurement, where synthetic environments are used widely in evaluation studies prior to major project commitments; in aircraft development, providing powerful design tools to enable system designers to evaluate prototype systems.

As a result of the acceptance of flight simulation in flight training, the use of simulators has been standardised throughout the world, with formal programmes of simulator qualification. These regulations, drawn up with the help of the RAeS Flight Simulation Group, ensure consistency for operators, regulators and manufacturers; the status of these regulations is outlined.

The paper concludes by reviewing the lessons learnt by the flight simulation industry over the last thirty years and summaries the potential areas of growth, which will lead to simulation becoming widespread throughout many industries, in addition to the aerospace industry.

Type
Survey Paper
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2010 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Adorian, P., Staynes, W. and Bolton, M., The Evolution of the Flight Simulator. Royal Aeronautical Society Conference, Fifty Years of Flight Simulation, London, UK, 1979.Google Scholar
2. Link, E.A. Jr, US Patent No. 1825462, 1930.Google Scholar
3. Allen, L., Evolution of flight simulation, AIAA Conference Flight Simulation and Technologies, AIAA-93-3545-CP, 1993, Monterey, US.Google Scholar
4. Allerton, D.J.. Avionics, systems design and simulation. Aeronaut J, 1996, 100, (1000), pp 439448.Google Scholar
5. Allerton, D.J.. Flight simulation – Past, present and future. Aeronaut J, 2000, 104, (1042), pp 651663.Google Scholar
6. Baarspul, M.. A review of flight simulation techniques, Progress in Aerospace Sciences, 1990, 22, pp 120.Google Scholar
7. Boiffier, J.L., The Dynamics of Flight – The Equations, John Wiley & Sons, 1998, Chichester, UK.Google Scholar
8. McFarland, R.E., A standard kinematic model for flight simulation at NASA-Ames, 1975, NASA-CR-2497.Google Scholar
9. Fogarty, L.E. and Howe, R.M., Computer mechanisation of six-degree of freedom flight equations, 1969, NASA CR-1344.Google Scholar
10. Hanke, C.R., The simulation of a large jet transport aircraft, Vol I: mathematical model, 1971, NASA CR-1756.Google Scholar
11. IATA 2002 Flight Simulator Design and Performance Data Requirements, 6th ed, International Air Transport Association.Google Scholar
12. Heffley, R.K. and Jewell, W.F., Aircraft Handling Qualities Data, 1972, NASA CR-2144.Google Scholar
13. Kruger, W., Besselink, I., Cowling, D., Doan, D. B., Kortum, W. and Krabacher, W.. Aircraft landing gear dynamics: simulation and control, Vehicle System Dynamics, 1997, 28, pp 119158.Google Scholar
14. Beal, T.R.. Digital simulation of atmospheric turbulence for Dryden and Von Karman models, J Guidance Control and Dynamics, 1993, 16, (1), pp 132138.Google Scholar
15. Ahn, Y.H.. Advances in instructor operating stations, Flight Simulation – Expanding the Boundaries, Royal Aeronautical Society Conference, 1997, London, UK.Google Scholar
16. Barrette, R.E., Flight Simulator Visual Systems – An Overview. SAE Aerospace Technology Conference, 1986, Long Beach, USA.Google Scholar
17. Reid, L.D., Computer Control of Flight Simulator Motion. Proceedings of Canadian Conference on Industrial Computer Systems, 1984, 1.11.7, Ottowa, Canada.Google Scholar
18. Caro, P.W.. Aircraft simulators and pilot training, Human Factors, 1973, 15, pp 502509.Google Scholar
19. Bell, H.H. and Waag, W.L.. Evaluating the effectiveness of flight simulators for training combat skills: A review, Int J Aviation Psychology, 1998, 8, (3), pp 223242.Google Scholar
20. Taylor, H.L., Training effectiveness of flight simulators as determined by transfer of training. NATO DRG Panel VIII Symposium, 1985, Brussels, Belgium.Google Scholar
21. Caro, P., Flight training and simulation, Human Factors in Aviation, Academic Press, 1988, San Diego, CA, USA.Google Scholar
22. Allerton, D.J. and Ross, M., Evaluation of a Part-task Trainer for Ab Initio Pilot Training. RAeS Conference Training Transfer, 1991, London, UK.Google Scholar
23. Hays, R.T. and Singer, M.J., Simulation fidelity, Training System Design, Springer-Verlag, 1989, New York, USA.Google Scholar
24. Stewart, D., A platform with six-degrees-of-freedom. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 1965, 180, (Part 1,5), pp 371386.Google Scholar
25. Howard, I.P., The vestibular system, in Handbook of Perception and Human Performance: Sensory Processes and Perception (Eds Boff, K.R., Kauffman, L. and Thomas, J.P.), John Wiley & Sons, 1986, New York, USA.Google Scholar
26. Nahon, M.A. and Reid, L.D.. Simulator motion drive algorithms: A designer’s perspective, AIAA, J Guidance, 1990, 13, (2), pp 356362.Google Scholar
27. Nanua, P., Waldron, K.J. and Murthy, V., Direct kinematic solution of a Stewart platform. IEEE Transactions on Robotics and Automation, 6, (4), pp 438443.Google Scholar
28. Ashworth, W.R., Mckissick, B.T. and Parrish, R.V., Effects of motion base and G-seat cueing on simulator pilot performance. NASA Technical Paper, 1984, No. 2247, NASA, Langley Research Centre.Google Scholar
29. Keirl, J.M., Cook, R.J. and White, A.D., Dynamic Seats – A Replacement for Platform Motion? DRA Report, 1995, HMSO, London, UK.Google Scholar
30. Blackham, G.H., A review of display systems for flight simulation. RAeS Conference Flight Simulation Technology, Capability and Benefits, 1995, London, UK.Google Scholar
31. Kolasinski, M., Simulator sickness in virtual environments. Tech. Report 1027, US Army Research Institute for the Behavioural and Social Sciences, 1995, Virginia, USA.Google Scholar
32. Allerton, D.J.. The Design of a Real-time Engineering Flight simulator for the Rapid Prototyping of Avionics Systems and Flight Control Systems, Trans Institute of Measurement and Control, 1999, 21, (2/3), pp 5162.Google Scholar
33. Shreiner, D. (Ed) OpenGLR Reference Manual: The Official Reference Document to OpenGL Version 1.4, Addison Wesley Publishing Company, Reading, MA, USA.Google Scholar
34. Anon, International Standards for the Qualification of Airplane Flight Simulators, 1992, The Royal Aeronautical Society, London, UK.Google Scholar
35. ICAO 1995 Doc. 9625-AN/938, Manual of Criteria for the Qualification of Flight Simulators, 1st Edn, International Civil Aviation Organisation. JAA 1998 JAR-STD 1A, Aeroplane Flight Simulators, Joint Aviation Authority.Google Scholar
36. RAeS 2005 Flight Simulator Evaluation Handbook, 1, 3rd Ed, Royal Aeronautical Society, London, UK.Google Scholar