Helicopter Simulation - 5 Misconceptions for Helicopter Flight Simulation

5 Misconceptions for Helicopter Flight Simulation
By Jordan Moore
Jul 2, 2006, 13:11

Print
Article

Through our involvement with both the flight simulation community, and members of the helicopter flight training industry, we have observed many common misconceptions about pc-based helicopter flight simulation. Some of these misconceptions are perpetuated by individuals that are simply uninformed or inexperienced, while others seem to be perpetuated by those whos insterests are threatened by PC-based helicopter flight simulation. In this article we'll dig into the five misconceptions that we come across the most.

#1. Off-the-shelf PC-based flight simulation software can be used to log a limited amount of training hours.

Aviation authorities do not normally approve stand-alone software running on home computers for flight training purposes. Instead, they approve particular flight training devices, which in many cases utilize off-the-shelf PC-based flight simulation software. These training devices, some of which you might have seen at your local flight school, typically include other important pieces of hardware like a radio stack, realistic pilot controls, and control panels. These approved devices normally have limits as to the amount of training hours they can be used for, and are often limited to specific types of training activities. It is important to note that these training devices are expensive when compared to their unapproved counterparts, as their cost is often inflated by the fact that they are officially approved for training. In addition, these devices do not always use the most advanced software. You can ceate your own training device for private use, for far less money, with more advanced and realistic features. When it comes to approved training devices, keep in mind that you might not be seeing the best of what PC-based flight simulation has to offer.

#2 - PC-based flight simulation is not useful or realistic because there is no motion involved.

Several top aviation simulation and training companies are currently challenging this long standing belief. Most flight training devices under $300K in cost do not incorporate any type of motion simulation. Scientific research has shown that motion in flight simulation is not necessary for higher quality training. In many cases, the motion is inaccurate or limited, and can actually substract from the immersive experience needed for realistic training. The industry is moving towards other sensory stimulation techniques that are proving to be more effective and affordable than motion for encouraging immersion. Techniques such as high quality sound, vibration systems, and control feedback. Manufacturers of multi-million dollar "full flight simulators" are naturally wary of the idea of dispensing with motion simulation. Lack of motion in the PC-based flight simulation systems should not keep you from having an immersive and realistic flight simulation experience.

#3 - PC-based flight simulation encourages bad habits that have to be un-taught later by flight instructors.

It is likely that this misconception is perpetuated by flight instructors that are out of date with the advances in PC-based flight simulation technology. Rather than embracing new tools, some instructors are choosing to avoid or ignore them all together. If an instructor is content to recommend a stack of books, or a pre-packaged video/dvd based training kit to their new students, then perhaps they would benefit by understanding that flight simulation is just another tool that can be effective in the education of a new pilot. For every bad habit a student might be exposed to, the opportunity for good habits to be developed and practiced is much greater. Within the helicopter flight simulation community we have observed the benefits of using PC-based flight simulation to prepare for, or augment, real-world flight training. The results we have seen and the feedback we have received from instructors and students alike are consistently positive.

#4 - PC-based helicopter flight models are unrealistic and do not represent flying a real helicopter.

Everyone has their own opinion regarding the realism and immersion of PC-based helicopter flight simulation, so stating that this is a misconception is going to be subjective. It is interesting that some pilots say the same thing about the full flight simulators and other flight training devices used at various aviation academies. The fact is that most first-time users of pc-based flight simulation lack the experience or the proper equipment and configuration to make this judgement. However, it is correct to say that helicopter flight simulation models are never perfect. Every software-driven helicopter flight model is going to have areas of excellence, as well as shortcomings. Typically, the shortcomings are at the edge of the normal flight envelope, and would not keep you from participating in generally realistic flight activities. The realism of flight simulation software is not only derived from the quality or accuracy of the flight model, it also depends on how realistically it is being used. The overwhelming response from members of the helicopter flight simulation community is that pc-based helicopter flight simulation platforms will give back what you put into them. Use them realistically, and they will provide you with an experience that is realistic enough to be useful in your real-world flying.

#5 - PC-based helicopter flight simulators are just games, and are not professionaly useful.

When the first PCs were made available to the public, they were considered to be useful only to hobbyists. The practical application they possessed was widely underestimated. Despite this, they grew into indispensible tools for any number of daily tasks. That is the case with modern PC-based helicopter flight simulation software as well. Many people's only experience with this type of flight simulation is several years old, and might have taken place on a "straight out of the box" installation, with tacky hardware, and on a poorly configured personal computer with mediocre performance and graphics capabilities. That experience in no way reflects what is currently possible with the right information and a reasonable budget.

Article re-printed with permission from Heli-Ops magazine. No redistribution permitted.