Periodic Reporting for period 1 - VR-FS (Virtual Reality in high fidelity Flight Simulation)
Período documentado: 2018-03-01 hasta 2018-07-31
The adoption of flight simulation slowly started after the Second World War, as a disruptive innovation in the training of aviation pilots. Its enormous potential for cost savings was the driving force for its progressive adoption. Currently, the cost of a training session in a Full Flight Simulator (FFS) is estimated to be between 5-20% of the cost of a session in a real aircraft.
High fidelity (HI-FI) flight models are the core of Full Flight Simulators, as models replicate the aerodynamics that rule how aircraft fly and how they react to flight control inputs and to external physical conditions (turbulence, wind, precipitation, ...). These models represent “only” 5% of the total cost of a FFS, which is in the average of €25 million, since the hardware equipment comprises very complex motion platforms (required for 6-degree of freedom, in order to emulate movements and acceleration of a real aircraft) and aircraft cockpits (specific for each aircraft model, replicating the real instrumentation panel and flight controls) mounted on the platform.
Our solution is the integration of HI-FI Flight Models in Virtual Reality (VR), creating a VR FFS that eliminates the high costs related to hardware in the current FFS, lowering the price of FFS from €25M to €125K.
During the 5 months of execution of Phase 1 we will validate the technical, operational and financial viability of our solution.
High fidelity (HI-FI) flight models are the core of Full Flight Simulators, as models replicate the aerodynamics that rule how aircraft fly and how they react to flight control inputs and to external physical conditions (turbulence, wind, precipitation, ...). These models represent “only” 5% of the total cost of a FFS, which is in the average of €25 million, since the hardware equipment comprises very complex motion platforms (required for 6-degree of freedom, in order to emulate movements and acceleration of a real aircraft) and aircraft cockpits (specific for each aircraft model, replicating the real instrumentation panel and flight controls) mounted on the platform.
Our solution is the integration of HI-FI Flight Models in Virtual Reality (VR), creating a VR FFS that eliminates the high costs related to hardware in the current FFS, lowering the price of FFS from €25M to €125K.
During the 5 months of execution of Phase 1 we will validate the technical, operational and financial viability of our solution.
• Validated the technical feasibility of the integration of our high-fidelity flight models with existing VR equipment, prioritising equipment to be used and analysing the interfacing.
• Validated the operational feasibility of establishing a strategic partnership with suppliers of the best available VR hardware for the system.
• Validated the financial feasibility of VR-FS, scrutiny our current revenue forecasts and refine our costs forecasts in view of the results of the operational and technical assessments.
• Validated the operational feasibility of establishing a strategic partnership with suppliers of the best available VR hardware for the system.
• Validated the financial feasibility of VR-FS, scrutiny our current revenue forecasts and refine our costs forecasts in view of the results of the operational and technical assessments.
Expected result 'n future years are as follows|
• Year 2019 – VR-FS fully developed for a utility helicopter, and validated for enabling a high-fidelity piloting experience in a small proof of concept test with 10 pilots, in our premises.
• Year 2020 – VR-FS demonstrated in cooperation with world-class entities (p.e. national army and/or airline) as a pioneering activity as part of their training programme, in sessions with +250 trainee helicopter pilots and +25 trainers, from more than 10 European nationalities.
• Year 2025 (year 5 after launch) – VR-FS in use for training of pilots for +4 aircraft models, leading to an annual turnover of €37,8 million and 65 employees by 2025.
• Year 2019 – VR-FS fully developed for a utility helicopter, and validated for enabling a high-fidelity piloting experience in a small proof of concept test with 10 pilots, in our premises.
• Year 2020 – VR-FS demonstrated in cooperation with world-class entities (p.e. national army and/or airline) as a pioneering activity as part of their training programme, in sessions with +250 trainee helicopter pilots and +25 trainers, from more than 10 European nationalities.
• Year 2025 (year 5 after launch) – VR-FS in use for training of pilots for +4 aircraft models, leading to an annual turnover of €37,8 million and 65 employees by 2025.