Flight Simulator Evaluation
A seven-day course meeting CASA requirements for personnel who require formal qualification in simulator testing and evaluation.
Course Overview
Our Specialist Training for Flight Simulator Evaluation course provides comprehensive instruction in the principles, standards and practical techniques used to evaluate flight simulators.
The syllabus covers simulator legislation and governing documents, data and QTG approval, aerodynamics and fidelity testing, computing and visual systems, motion systems, latency, control loading systems, sound systems, instructor/operator stations, and assessment procedures.
Through a combination of classroom teaching, case studies, exercises and practical simulator sessions, participants develop the knowledge and skills required to plan, conduct and interpret formal flight simulator evaluations in accordance with current regulatory requirements.
Purpose of course
- Requirement to assess simulators
- History and philosophy of flight simulation
- Outline of simulator sub-systems
- Outline of requirements to confirm fidelity
2.1 Governing documents
- Civil legislation
- Domestic
- International (as applicable to client; Simulinc staff are familiar with all current forms of legislation)
- Applicability and status
- Relationship to each other
- Formats and presentation
- Terminology
2.2 Classification of synthetic flight training devices
- Flight simulators, FTDs, synthetic trainers
- Levels of qualification
2.3 Evaluation of simulators
- Types of evaluation
- Requirements
Upset Prevention Recovery Training
- Requirements for training
- IOS requirements including Vn diagrams and feedback to instructor
3.1 Approval of Data
- Requirement to approve
- Expected sources of data
- In-house data collection
- Special precautions
- Excessive oscillation/variations in data
3.2 Approval of QTG
- Required content
- Statements of compliance
- Layout of individual tests
- Review of test results
4.1 Review
- Brief review of aerodynamics relevant to simulator testing
4.2 Aerodynamic Fidelity Tests
- Comparison of simulator behaviour with certification data
- Role of fidelity testing compared to role of test pilot
- Acceptable and unacceptable tests and results
5.1 Background
- Significance of computers in modern flight simulation
- Monolithic, multiple and micro computers
5.2 Functioning of Computers
- Basic concepts
- Sources of delay in computational path
- Computer languages
5.3 Computers in Flight Simulation
- Host computers and image generators
- Relationship and update rates
- Host systems
- Monolithic computers
- Distributed minicomputers
- Linking arrangements
- Image generators
- Channels
- Altitude calculations
5.4 Computer-Generated Images
- Sources of data
- Method of generating an image
- Specific airfields
- Generic reconfigurable airfields
- Visual databases
- Level of detail
- Texture
- Large-area databases
- Dynamic problems associated with the image
- Updating requirements
- Changing databases
- Quality of CGI images
- Day and night scenes
- Common faults
6.1 Background
- Review of development of visual systems
6.2 CRT, LCD, LCoS, DLP and Laser Systems
- Operation of the system
- Characteristics of the system
- Limitations, advantages and disadvantages
6.3 Multi-CRT Systems
- Characteristics of the system
- Limitations, advantages and disadvantages
6.4 Continuous Field of View Systems
- Operation of the system
- Characteristics of the system
- Limitations, advantages and disadvantages
6.5 Collimated and Non-collimated Systems
- Characteristics of the two systems
- Limitations, advantages and disadvantages
6.6 Visual Tests
- Review requirements
- Objective tests
- Subjective tests
- Common faults and errors
- Precautions advised
7.1 Sensing Movement
- Physiological basis of sensing motion
- Acceleration and rotation
- Local vertical
- Threshold of perception
- Relationship to visual perception
- Visual and motion cues reinforcing each other
- Visual and motion cues in disagreement
7.2 Degrees of Freedom
- Degrees of freedom
- Capabilities of motion systems
- Three-DOF systems
- Six-DOF systems
7.3 Operation of Motion Systems
- Types of systems
- Conventional hydraulic
- Low friction (hydrostatic)
- Electric
- Hexaline
- Comparison of hydraulic and electric systems
- Common motion faults and problems
7.4 Motion Tests
- Review requirements
- Objective tests (robotic and non-robotic)
- Subjective tests
- Common faults and errors
- Precautions advised
- Concept of latency
- Latency (response time) and transport delay
- ICAO definition of transport delay
- Methods of measuring latency
- Inter-relationship of motion, visual and instrumentation
- Latency in multiple systems
- Coupled simulators
- Simulators with coupled PTTs
- Multiple visual systems
- Common faults and errors
- Precautions advised
9.1 Purpose of Control Loading Systems
- Purpose of control loading systems
9.2 Types of Systems
- Electro-hydraulic
- Electric
- Rotary
- Linear
- Advantages and disadvantages of each
9.3 Control Loading Tests
- Review requirements
- Objective tests
- Subjective tests
- Common faults and errors
- Precautions advised
10.1 Purpose of Sound Systems
- Purpose of sound systems
10.2 Functioning of Typical Sound System
- Recording sounds
- Generating sounds
- Directionality
10.3 Sound Tests
- Review ICAO and JAR requirements
- Objective tests
- Subjective tests
- Common faults and errors
- Precautions advised
11.1 Typical Inputs
- Environmental
- Configuration
- Aircraft systems
- Navigation
11.2 IOS Controls
- Typical display panels and controls
- Methods of inserting data
- Electronic pages
- Touch-sensitive screens
- Programmable keypads
11.3 Onboard and Off-board IOS
- Advantages and disadvantages
- Suitability for different training tasks
- Team structure and responsibilities
- Examine FSTD past performance
- Check for outstanding unserviceabilities and any effect on current evaluation level
- Check FSTD modification status and alignment with aircraft updates
- Review Operator Quality system:
- Does it work efficiently?
- Does it align with contractor system?
- Are any unserviceabilities tracked correctly?
- Does it provide feedback to operating crews?
Additional modules regarding legislation to cater for specific course participants may be included, such as:
- ADF military legislation
- TP9685E Canadian legislation
- JAR FSTD A
- FAA Part 60
- EASA FSTD (A) & (H)
- ICAO Doc 9625
14.1 Evaluation of Data and QTG
- As part of a team, use typical data as provided by aircraft manufacturers to:
- Assess the validity of proposed QTG tests
- Provide written comment on each case
14.2 Simulator Testing
- As part of a team, participate in hands-on simulator evaluation tests, both manually flown and automatic, covering:
- Performance tests
- Stability and control tests
- Control loading tests
- Visual system tests
- Motion system tests
- Credit sequences tests
- Subjective tests in normal flight
- Assess all operating systems, visual and performance
- Provide verbal comment on the observed outcome of each test
- Provide comment on outcome of evaluation and requirements for continued evaluation
14.3 Evaluation of Test Results
- As part of a team, evaluate hard-copy printouts in different formats, including material produced as part of the hands-on testing in 14.2, and provide written comment on each case
A written examination including theoretical and practical material covered during the course.
Additional Information
Course Format
This course is delivered over 6–7 consecutive days and includes classroom-based instruction, case studies, and practical simulator sessions where facilities are available.
Who should attend?
This course is designed for personnel involved in flight simulator evaluation, regulatory oversight, training development, or engineering support. It is suitable for both civilian and defence organisations.
Course Prerequisites
Participants are expected to have operational, engineering or regulatory experience relevant to flight simulation or aviation training.
Course Outcome
Participants who successfully demonstrate competency will receive a Certificate of Completion confirming achievement of the required evaluation skills.
See what our clients had to say
Testimonials
- Course
- “Good coverage.”
- Instructors
- “Well done, good instruction.”
- Course
- “This course was an absolute requirement prior to evaluating the Canadian FTD. Very happy to have attended. ”
- Instructors
- “Obvious command of the legislation and simulator details. Good instructional technique.”
- Overall
- “Fantastic course, exactly what we were looking for.”
Enquire now
To register for the upcoming course, please complete the enrolment form below.