Advances in Flight Simulation
AXIS Flight Simulation, CAE, Collins Aerospace, and Indra Keep Pushing the Envelope
During World War Two, countless allied pilots learned the basics of flight inside Link Trainers. Built to resemble a stubby-winged aircraft with realistic interactive instruments and flight motion inside, the Link trainer was state-of-the-art for its day.
“Inside the ‘cockpit,’ the student relied on his instruments to ‘fly’ the Link through various manoeuvres while his navigational ‘course’ was traced on a map on the desk by the three-wheeled ‘crab’,” said the National Museum of the United States Air Force website (https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil). “Slip stream simulators gave the controls the feeling of air passing over control surfaces and a rough air generator added additional realism during the ‘flight’.”
Not surprisingly, today’s full-flight simulators (FFS) are light years ahead of the Link trainer, with companies such as AXIS Flight Simulation, CAE, Collins Aerospace, and Indra Sistemas pushing the envelope of what’s possible. Here is what they are up to.
Advances Abound
To put it mildly, modern FFS provide training experiences that are stunningly close to actual flight. “High-fidelity graphics now provide an incredibly detailed and immersive environment, enabling pilots to experience real-world conditions with very high accuracy,” said Christian Theuermann, Member of AXIS Flight Simulation’s Executive Board. “For example, enhanced terrain modelling, weather effects and dynamic lighting ensure that every aspect of simulated flight mirrors real-life scenarios. While detailed ground imagery captured using satellite data gathering and aerial imagery allows for more detailed and effective graphics. In regard to motion, our FFS’ have highly advanced, integrated motion cueing systems that replicate the feel of flight including turbulence, engine vibrations and manoeuvres. Nowadays, pilots training on a Level D FFS should not be able to tell the difference between flying the simulator or a real aircraft.“
CAE has been similarly busy marrying advancing simulator-based flight training with innovative technologies. “Last year, we were the first to achieve Level D certification on a full-flight simulator equipped with a gaming engine-powered visual system,” said Abha Dogra, the company’s Chief Technology and Product Officer. “The CAE Prodigy Image Generator (IG) uses Epic Games’ Unreal Engine to deliver high-fidelity graphics and physics-based simulation. This technology elevates training standards with photorealistic renderings, enhanced moving models, and a more immersive environment. It improves visual simulation fidelity, making training not only more realistic but also more effective.”
Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, is also looking to video games to enhance their training experiences. “The more realistic and dynamic the image generator, the more closely aligned simulation training will be to live training,” Dave Kanahele, Program Manager for Simulation & Training Services with Collins Aerospace, told Aerospace Innovations. This is why “Collins Aerospace developed a new training solution called Arcus ™ that combines Collins’ advanced rendering and processing with gaming engine developer Epic Games’ Unreal Engine technology for a higher fidelity training environment.”
Indra Sistemas is so committed to constantly improving the realism of their simulators, that they invest 5%-9% of their annual sales revenues to pay for these advances. “While always improving graphics realism and motion effects, Indra simulators have reached a level of maturity that allows us to focus on more challenging developments,” said Julián López, Indra Sistemas’ Commercial Director for Simulation. “The focus of Indra simulators’ evolution is now on the incorporation of Virtual and Augmented reality, and the use of AI to improve the behaviour of computer-generated forces, making them more human and realistic, and to deliver adaptive training, tailored in real time for each trainee.”
AI Is A Natural Addition to Simulator Training
With its ability to process, and analyse vast amounts of data quickly and efficiently, AI (artificial intelligence) is a natural addition training — both in terms of providing the student pilot with 360 degree out-of-the-window views in real-time and responding to their control inputs in a realistic and accurate manner.
“The integration of AI and data collection ensures targeted and efficient training, made possible through performance analysis and data-analytics,” Theuermann said. “AI can process large amounts of data in real-time and record pilots’ immediate interactions, responses and decision-making processes during simulated flights. Using data collected from these algorithms, training programs can be tailored to pilot performance, identifying specific areas for improvement and allowing users to efficiently progress in their training.” He added that AXIS Flight Simulation’s AI-driven debriefing solution compares pilots’ actions against optimal performance standards, for this very reason.
The CAE Rise platform also uses advanced analytics to assess pilot performance objectively, providing instant feedback and training intelligence to instructors. “The platform also helps to calibrate instructors for more consistent training and grading,” said Dogra. “By offloading some tasks from instructors, it allows them to focus on evaluating more complex skills, making the training process both more efficient and effective. Upcoming CAE Rise releases integrate biometrics like gaze and pulse with telemetric data to further augment insights.”
Indra is using AI in its simulators as well. According to López, AI helps to ensure human-like behaviour in computer-generated elements such as airport ground control and air traffic in the civil sector, to Blue and Red forces in the military arena. It also drives the use of NLP (Natural Language Processing) for the creation of terrains, scenarios definition or modification of the exercise in real time based on the trainee’s current performance and adapts the exercises to their specific needs based on their past performance.
AR and VR Playing Their Parts
AR (Augmented Reality, aka Mixed Reality) combines computer-generated graphics on an immersive headset with views of the actual world. Imagine a training scenario where the student is sitting in a physical version of an aircraft cockpit, with the views outside the windows and the data on the displays being generated by computer. In contrast, VR (Virtual Reality) focuses the student solely on the computer-generated images; their physical setting is irrelevant. ‘Haptics’ refers to the physical equipment — like a control stick — that the student interacts with to respond to the simulation, and that provides real-time motion and touch sensations to make the experience convincing.
Not surprisingly, AR and VR are playing major parts in modern simulation-based training. “AR and VR technology adds another layer of immersion, providing an even more captivating experience of virtual flight and enhancing FFS training,” said Theuermann. “An AR system, for example, can project critical flight data, navigation information or checklists onto the pilot’s field of view. This aids real-time decision-making and situational awareness without obstructing the pilot’s view of their surroundings. VR, on the other hand, creates a completely immersive, computer-generated environment that users can interact with using a headset. In flight simulation, VR places the pilot inside a fully virtual cockpit, providing a 360-degree view and a sense of presence. This technology allows for realistic training scenarios, such as emergency procedures or navigating adverse weather conditions.”
The real beauty of AR/VR simulation training is that it allows students to encounter various real-life situations without actually putting themselves or an aircraft at risk. “By using VR headsets, pilots can engage with immersive experiences that replicate pre-flight checks, emergency protocols and maintenance procedures without need for a physical aircraft or simulator,” Theuermann said. Meanwhile, “Haptics enable pilots to experience the physical sensations of the controls and learn how difficult or easy they are to manoeuvre. This also ensures that pilots develop the necessary muscle memory for repeated flight procedures.”
“AR, VR, and haptics are integral to the future of pilot training, offering new levels of immersion and realism,” observed Dogra. “At CAE, we’ve been pioneers in integrating these technologies into our training solutions. Our XR solutions, including the CAE 700MXR simulator, combine mixed reality with haptics to create a highly immersive training experience. These technologies allow us to simulate a wide range of scenarios, making training more flexible and accessible. They complement traditional full-flight simulators, creating a comprehensive training ecosystem that enhances skill development.”
The fact that AR, VR and haptics simulation devices can be used independently of full-flight simulators make them affordable training options for educators. “Flight training devices and headset VR and MR systems can reduce cost and increase opportunities for focussed training due to the immersive and portable nature of the simulators,” Kanahele said. “Our Arcus Image Generator can take advantage of future commercial AR/VR technology as well as support Collins’ unique real-time system performance optimizations to meet the most demanding training applications.”
This being said, AR, VR and haptics — known collectively as XR (Extended Reality) — are not the end-all and be-all of flight training, said López. “AR and VR are definitely game changer technologies in many fields, and Indra has also incorporated it into our catalogue of display solutions,” he explained. “However, Indra’s view on XR in flight simulation is that although it provides a higher level of immersion for the trainee, it can be exhausting for the trainees, especially on long sessions.”
The Power of Networking
Having one student in a modern simulator running realistic flight scenarios is impressive. Linking them with other students and instructors in real-time through networking: That’s magic!
“Networking allows multiple trainees to participate in the same simulation from different locations, making joint exercises, like multi-crew coordination (MCC) or air traffic controller-pilot interactions, more seamless,” said Theuermann. “This real-time collaboration improves communication skills, teamwork and the ability to manage complex, multi-faceted flight scenarios. Today, MCC courses form part of airline pilot training (APT) and help trainees learn how to fly in a multi-crew environment. The objectives are optimum decision-making, task sharing, checklists and support throughout all phases of flight under normal, abnormal and emergency conditions.”
“System networking has become a cornerstone of modern training solutions where instructors, pilots, and simulators can digitally interact with each other, leveraging the courseware and practising complex manoeuvres,” Dogra agreed. “By enabling simulators to connect across different locations or to connect with an actual aircraft’s data, we are able to provide shared, synchronised training experiences that bring teams together in real time. This connectivity ensures that training is consistent and collaborative, regardless of where participants are located. It also allows for more complex and realistic training scenarios, where multiple trainees can interact just as they would in actual operations. This approach not only improves training outcomes but also fosters better teamwork and communication among crews.”
Networked simulator training has become particularly important for military student pilots, allowing them to experience the kinds of mass deployments they will undertake on active service. “It supports large-scale operations and tactical training, such as formation flying, air combat or combat search and rescue (CSAR) and allows cross-disciplinary training with roles like air traffic control or maintenance staff,” said López. “An example of this implementation is the interconnection of Indra simulators between the three Spanish Army Bases of CESIHEL (Helicopter Simulation Center) in the centre of Spain, Agoncillo in the north and Almagro in the south of Spain. In total, 12 helicopter simulators, including Chinook, EC135, Cougar, Tigre, and NH90 interact regularly, sharing communications, visual and tactical scenarios, providing significant operational and training advantages in the context of military and helicopter training.”
Awesome Advances to Come
As awe-inspiring as modern simulation-based flight training is today, the future holds even more exciting possibilities.
For example, Indra is working on combining AR training with Full-Body Haptic Suits that provide immersive feedback to the pilot and could simulate the forces of acceleration, vibration, and even G-forces during manoeuvres. “Also advanced touch-based interfaces might replace physical controls, allowing pilots to interact with virtual cockpits using touch-sensitive gloves or panels, creating a more modular and flexible training system,” López said. “This technology cannot yet be applied to Level D Simulators (the highest fidelity flight simulators certified), but with the development of wearable haptics and AR glasses to be more unnoticeable, this can be a reality in the near future.”
Then there’s Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs): Yes, you read that correctly. “Neural interfaces could permit better monitoring of the reaction of the pilots in stress situations, facilitating the selection of roles and profiles for specific missions,” said López. “BCIs could even be used for direct interaction with the simulator through thought commands, significantly increasing the speed and precision of control inputs.”
If that isn’t enough, quantum computing could be used to create ultra-realistic physics models for flight simulators. “As quantum computing technology matures, it could revolutionise flight simulation by enabling far more complex aerodynamic and weather models, offering simulations with unprecedented accuracy in real-time,” López said. “Quantum computing could also support far larger, more complex simulated environments with realistic interactions between multiple aircraft, real-time weather, and air traffic.”
These are just some of the envelope-pushing ideas being developed by the simulation-based training industry. “We’re continuously pushing the boundaries of what’s possible to help our customers,” said CAE’s Dogra. “Looking ahead, we’re focused on developing more modular and scalable training systems that can be tailored to the specific needs of our clients. We’re also exploring adaptive learning technologies that adjust in real time to a trainee’s performance, offering a more personalised and effective training experience.”
“The simulator market is constantly evolving, and we are dedicated to delivering cutting-edge, innovative training solutions,” AXIS Flight Simulation’s Theuermann agreed. “Earlier this year, we launched the first front-loading roll-on/roll-off solution, AX-D Flex, which was designed to train on multiple aircraft types in the same hardware. The equipment consists of a core simulator structure with motion and visual display components that can be integrated with cockpit modules. This unique solution optimises pilot training, while providing new levels of cost-efficiency. We’re also working on some exciting new innovations which we’ll be launching later this year.”
As for Collins Aerospace? According to Kanahele, “Collins is looking ahead at making training simulators even more flexible and more deployable. Operational security requirements have increased as potential adversaries have increased land, air, space, cyber, surface, and subsurface ISR/monitoring capabilities. These restrictions make it challenging for warfighters to train as they will fight. Additionally, the cost to travel continues to increase to the point where it is not worth the flight/drive time to accomplish low-end tasks or training.”
All told, the simulation-based training industry has evolved so far past the original Link trainer, that it is giving actual flight training a run for its money. Obviously, there will always be a need to put pilots into aircraft for real-life training, but the amount of this that has to be done is constantly on the decrease. “In some defence scenarios, pilots are going solo on advanced aircraft without ever having flown with an instructor in the air,” said Dogra. “The capabilities of today’s simulators are so advanced that they can replicate nearly every aspect of real flight, making it possible to minimise the time and resources spent on flight training in an actual aircraft while still ensuring pilots are fully prepared.”
By James Careless
