Motion System
Motion system with 6 Degrees of Freedom (6 DOF) and continuous yaw drive
AIRFOX DISO
Basic Spatial Disorientation Trainer
The AIRFOX DISO Basic Spatial Disorientation Trainer is a perfect integrated navigation procedure simulator in conjunction with highest quality spatial disorientation demonstration.
Needs
Spatial Disorientation (SD) is a persistent threat, which can cause avoidable military and civil fixed/rotary wing flying accidents. Statistics show that around 20% of military (USAF class A mishaps) and around 10% of all general aviation accidents are due to SD. 90% of these accidents are fatal.
SD is a phenomenon where the pilot is unaware of the real orientation of the aircraft with respect to the earth. It is a major factor in aircraft accidents. The term SD describes a variety of incidents that occur in flight. The pilot fails to correctly sense the position, motion or attitude of the aircraft, or of himself within the fixed coordinate system, which the surface of the earth and the gravitational vertical provides.
A broader definition of SD also includes errors in the pilot‘s perception of his position, motion or attitude with respect to his aircraft, or his own aircraft relative to other aircraft. Appropriate and regular training is necessary to prevent the pilot‘s loss of spatial orientation and the possible loss of life and aircraft.
Solution
The AIRFOX ASD uniquely demonstrates and familiarises pilots with the disastrous effects of SD and the illusions experienced in today’s demanding flight operations. No other system offers such a multipurpose, efficient and cost-effective training solution. With the AIRFOX ASD, aircrews learn how to recognise SD and how to improve their situational awareness. The training with the AIRFOX ASD dramatically reduces the risk of fatalities and loss of aircraft.
Decision makers must have a greater awareness of the risk of SD and the costly and often fatal consequences of inadequate regulations, training standards and inferior training equipment. The AIRFOX ASD is an essential, highly cost-effective tool in the modern training system. It improves aircrew performance and saves lives.
The system allows to do trainings with a variety of users, such as:
- Fixed and rotary wing aircrew
- Military air arms
- Special forces
- Civilian fixed and rotary wing operators including airlines, executive air fleets, air ambulance, police, coastguard, and off-shore oil and gas exploration Units
The most important function of the system is to demonstrate SD situations, visual illusions, and vestibular illusions, such as:
- Coriolis effect
- Somatogyral effect
- Oculogyral effect
- Nystagmus effect
- Autokinesis
- Nystagmus effect
- Somatogravic illusion
- Leans effect
- Graveyard spin
- False horizon
- Runway width and slope illusion
- Sloping terrain illusion
- Black hole approach
- Ground light misinterpretation
- Vection illusion helicopter
- Whiteout, brownout
- Flicker vertigo
- Blinding effect
- Moving ship
Depending on the configuration, the AIRFOX ASD can also be used for:
- Basic flight training
- Night Vision (NV) training
- Motion sickness desensitisation
- Medical research
- Human factors research and development
Features
Air-Conditioned Cabin
The cabin of the AIRFOX DISO is air-conditioned
Generic Cockpit Configuration
Generic cockpit configuration for broad variety of fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft
Touch-Panel Instruments
Touch-panel instruments specific for flight model
Flight Models
Many flight models: from trainer to fighter aircraft, transport aircraft and helicopter models.
Control Loading System (CLS)
Control loaded primary controls using a force-feedback system
NV Capability
Night vision training must demonstrate the capabilities and limitations of Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS). For that purpose, the trainee has to wear original Night Vision Goggles (NVGs). The visual system is capable of stimulating these NVGs while the cockpit is NVG compatible. The following training scenarios are possible:
- Illumination changes (moon position and phase, clouds)
- Visibility changes
- Weather effects
- Different terrain type (flat terrain, hills, mountains, different contrast terrain)
- Land to sea transition
- Cultural lights from towns and villages
- Height and distance judgement (approach to ship or oil-platform) or poorly lit airfields
- Inadvertent flight into Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) and recovery procedures whilst on NVGs
- Object detection (masts, power lines)
- Target aircraft (collision avoidance, formation flight) and procedural joins
Benefits
- Multi-purpose system
- SD training, also in flight situations
- Basic flight training – VFR and IFR, day and night
- Basic night flight training with real NVGs
- Motion sickness desensitisation
- Human factors research and development
- Pilot screening
- Basic medical research
- Passive training for non-pilot aircrew
- Embedded SD illusions in mission scenarios
- Automated missions
- Sophisticated recording and debriefing functions
- Second flight model as target aircraft
- Observer camera
- Customer-specific environment
- Can be linked with other simulators for flight in a shared environment
- Training programmes for instructors, operators and maintenance personnel
- In service with 10 operators worldwide
References
The following customers have the AIRFOX DISO successfully and satisfactorily in operation
AIRFOX DISO X + XI – India 2009
Two more AIRFOX DISOs for India have been installed at the Indian Air Force Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Hindon and in Hyderabad and are still in operation.
AIRFOX DISO IX – Germany 2004
The AIRFOX DISO was installed at the German Institute for Aviation Medicine in Königsbrück near Dresden and is still in operation.
AIRFOX DISO VII + VIII – UK 2004
Two AIRFOX DISOs have been installed at the Royal Institute for Aviation Medicine at Henlow in 2004 and are still in operation.
AIRFOX DISO VI – India 2004
The first AIRFOX DISO for India was installed at the Indian Air Force Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Bangalore and is still in operation.
AIRFOX DISO V – P.R. of China 2002
The AIRFOX DISO was installed at the Air Force Hospital in Gangshan and is still in operation. For this simulator AMST designed and delivered the motion system including the turntable.
AIRFOX DISO IV – Greece 2001
AMST has installed the AIRFOX DISO at the Hellenic Air Force Hospital in Athens. It is still in operation.
