Helicopter Operations Aircrew/Crew Chief Trainer

Helicopter crew chiefs primarily receive advanced skills training during in-flight training missions. This training methodology is expensive and potentially dangerous. A simulator designed, developed, and produced based on derived skill-based requirementsemploying innovative virtual technology with tactile interactions would be an excellent training tool. The question remains: Can such a simulator that enables maximum flexibility for varied task training be affordably produced?Helicopter crew chiefs throughout the military perform varied but similar tasks. These tasks principally consist of door gunner engagements, search and rescue (SAR), vertical replenishment (VERTREP), interactions with flight and ground/sea crews, hovercontrol, swimmer deployment/recovery, hoist operations, night searches, mine/Doppler operations, and emergency procedures. The proposed SBIR study will analyze the tasks of the H-60 crew chief, develop training requirements based on those tasks, andpresent trade-off analysis of technologies that meet those training requirements in a simulator environment.At the completion of Phase I, Binghamton Simulator Company will provide recommendations on the feasibility of developing affordable and effective crew chief training in a simulation environment.