Next Generation Dynamic Seat for Rotorcraft Flight Simulation

Flight simulation has seen widespread use as a cost effective and safe method for pilot training, and current efforts are underway to develop higher fidelity simulation environments to support rotorcraft shipboard operations. In previous Phase I/II work, Continuum Dynamics, Inc. (CDI) has developed a dynamic seat prototype that varies the body pressure force in response to changes in the simulated aircraft accelerations using linear actuators embedded in the seat pan and back. This prototype was tested in a fixed-base V-22 simulation and demonstrated an improvement in simulation fidelity during pilot evaluations. The proposed sequential Phase II will continue development and testing with emphasis on application to a generic virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR) cockpit and motion platform. Model-based methods to formulate complementary motion platform/body force cueing and to assess performance also will be developed. Simulation testing will include a formal pilot evaluation of low-speed maneuvers and shipboard approach/recovery scenarios with multiple levels of cueing fidelity. The proposed effort will continue technology maturation, allowing transition to fleet trainers for naval helicopter and tiltrotor aircraft.