The Flight and Navigation Procedures Trainer - Research Paper Example

Flight Simulators A flight simulator has been regarded as a device, which artificially recreates aircraft flight together with various other aspects of the entire flight environment. This might incorporate the equations, which govern the way in which aircraft fly, the way in which they react or respond to other applications of their subsequent controls, as well as other aircraft systems and the way in which they respond to the factors of the external environment including precipitation, cloud, turbulence, aid density, etc. the process of flight simulation is often employed for a series of reasons, which include flight training, the process of design and establishment of the aircraft in itself, together with research into the properties of aircraft, as well as control handling services. According to their designated purposes, flight simulations often employ several hardware types, realism and modeling details (Rolfe & Staples, 2006). They vary from PC laptop based aircraft system models to basic replica cockpits for effective familiarization purposes to even more comprehensive cockpit simulations having some working systems and controls to considerably detailed cockpit replications having all aircraft systems and controls and world-field visual systems, each of them being mounted on 6-degrees-of-freedom motion platforms that move in response to the pilot control movements together with external aerodynamic factors. Flight simulation has been said to be extremely significant within the industry of aviation in the training of pilots together with other flight attendants or crew for both military and civil aircraft. Also, it is utilized in the training of the maintenance engineers within aircraft systems, and possesses applications in the aircraft design and establishment. Several uniquely distinct devices are often employed within modern flight training. These devices range from basic Part-Task Trainers (PTTs), which cover at least one aircraft system to the Full Flight Simulators (FFS) having comprehensive and complex aerodynamic, as well as systems modelling. This spectrum, therefore, incorporates a considerable range of fidelity to physical cockpit properties together with equality software models and several implementations of motion, visual sensory cues and motion. Full Flight Simulator is said to be employed for aircraft specific flight training within the rules of the necessary regulatory authority of national civil aviation. Under such rules, relevant systems of aircraft ought to be entirely simulated and an essentially comprehensive aerodynamic model is often required. It is prudent to note that every FFS needs the visual systems of outside-world (OTW) together with a motion platform. Flight Training Devices (FTD), on the other hand, is often utilized for either aircraft-specific or generic flight training. With this device, however, environmental models, systems and comprehensive flight systems are often required. Other high-level FTDS also need visual systems although these visual systems ought not to possess similar characteristics to that of a FFS (FAA, 2004). The Full Mission Simulator (FMS) is often employed within the military to effectively denote a simulator that is capable of training every aspect of any operational mission within the aircraft under review. The Aviation Training Device (ATD) is often utilized for primary training of simple flight procedures and concepts. A generic model of flight, which represents an aircraft ‘family’, is often installed and then several common flight systems are adequately simulated. The Flight and Navigation Procedures Trainer (FNTP) is employed in generic flight training. In this case, a generic, yet comprehensive model is often required together with the provision of several environmental effects and systems. Integrated Procedures Trainer (IPT) provides an entirely simulated cockpit in a three dimensional spatial cockpit environment, which combines the utilization of multiple touch sensitive screens, which display simulated panes within a similar size as the real aircraft panels with replica panels (David, 2009). Within several professional flight schools, the initial training is often conducted partially within relatively low-cost training tools e.g. FTDs and FNPTs. As the student begins to familiarize himself with primary flight and aircraft handing skills, more focus being laid on cockpit resource management, advanced aircraft systems and instrument flying and the section of flight training carried out in such devices increases exponentially (Lee, 2005). The FFS are effective as a part of training for Commercial Air Transport aircraft pilot. For several commercial pilots, recurrent training and aircraft orientation is carried out within high level FFS or FTDs. With regard to motion within flight simulators, the FFS is said to duplicate relevant aspects of aircraft together with its environment that includes its motion. This can be typically successful by placing a replica visual system and cockpit upon a motion platform. The modern standard is a six degrees-of-freedom motion platform with the use of six jacks and is needed for the level D flight simulator according to USA’s FAA and Europe’s EASA. Because the motion system’s travel is limited, the ‘acceleration onset cueing’ principle is often employed (Lee, 2005). This effectively simulates initial accelerations and then takes the motion system back to a neutral point at a rate that is below the sensory threshold of the pilot so as to avoid the motion system from attaining its travel limits. FSTD Use According to the FAA rules, no individual is allowed to permit the use of or even use an FSTD for purposes of flight crewmember evaluation or training or acquiring flight experience in order to meet other requirements unless it is in accordance with the particular device. However, current FSTD qualification is necessary in order to undergo additional qualification processes in case a user has the intentions of using the FSTD device for meeting evaluation, training or flight experience, then the procedure would call for a sponsor, NSPM submissions of modifications necessary for support of the additional qualification. Certified Flight Simulator Levels With regard to the FAA laid standards; the levels of qualifications are as follows: FTD Levels Level 4- contains the equipment simulated adequately for the authorized checking/training events to be finished. This installed equipment ought to be located within a spatially appropriate location and might be within a flight deck section. More equipment needed for the authorized checking/training events ought to be available within this level although it might be situated within a suitable location. This given level is often likened to a Cockpit Procedures Trainer. Actuation of equipment ought to replicate the essential function within the airplane. Landing gear pins, fire axes and any other similar purpose instruments ought only to be represented within silhouette. This particular level does not need an aerodynamic model, but an accurate system modeling. Level 5- provides the appropriate impact of aerodynamic adjustments for the effective combinations of thrust and drag normally experienced within flight. This should incorporate the impact of change within airplane attitude, drag, thrust, temperature, configuration and altitude. This level needs only aerodynamic, generic programming. It is, however, not essential for helicopters. Level 6- must possess a flight deck, which is similar to the airplane simulated using controls, circuit breakers, equipment and bulkheads appropriately located, replicating, and functionally accurate within the plane. Moreover, the movement direction of switches and controls ought to be identical to the plane. The FTD’s flight deck comprises of all the space forward of the fuselage’s cross-section at the extremist aft setting of the seats of the pilots including required, additional bulkheads aft of the seat of the pilot. In this level, physical cockpit and control feel are necessary. It additionally needs the effects of adjustments or changes in center of gravity and gross weight. Level 7- it is for helicopters only. Every applicable aerodynamic, flight systems and controls ought to be modeled. A vibration system ought to be supplied. This is the exact first level to demand for a visual system. For the Full Flight Simulators (FFS) FFS Level A- it requires a motion system having more than three degrees-of-freedom and is only applicable to airplanes. FSS Level B- needs three axis motions together with a higher fidelity aerodynamic model as compared to level A. it is the lower helicopter flight simulator level. FSS Level C- needs a motion platform having all the six-degrees-of-freedom. Over the other two levels (A and B), it requires lower transport latency (delay). On the other hand, the visual system ought to possess an outside-world horizontal view of more than seventy five degrees for every pilot (FAA, 2004). With regard to the FAA standards, FFS Level D often assumes the highest FFS qualification level currently available. All the level C requirements are applicable within this level with other additions. There must be 6-degrees of freedom for the motion platform, and the visual system ought to possess an outside world horizontal view of more than 150 degrees with a distant focus display. On the cockpit, realistic sounds are necessary together with a few visual and special motion effects (Lee, 2005). European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Fight Navigation and Procedures Trainer (FNTP): FNTP Level I FNTP Level II FNTP Level III MCC- this level is not considered as an actual qualification ‘level’ but, perhaps, an add-on, which allows any given FNTP level to be employed in Multi Crew Coordination training (Pelton & Ram, 2010). For the Flight Navigation Devices (FTDs) FTD Level 1 FTD Level 2 FTD Level 3- only helicopters For the Full Flight Simulators (FFS) FFS Level A FFS Level B FFS Level C FFS Level D (Pelton & Ram, 2010) References Airplane Flying Handbook. (2004). [Washington, D.C.]: U.S. Dept. of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Flight Standards Service [Airman Testing Standards Branch. Allerton, David. (2009). Principles of Flight Simulation. Chichester, U.K.: Wiley. Lee, Alfred T. (2005). Flight Simulation: Virtual Environments in Aviation. Aldershot: Ashgate. Pelton, Joseph N., and Ram S. Jakhu. (2010). Space Safety Regulations and Standards. Amsterdam: Butterworth-Heinemann. Rolfe, J. M., and K. J. Staples. (2006) Flight Simulation. Cambridge [Cambridgeshire]: Cambridge UP. Read More