Development of a Powerful but Inexpensive Helicopter Flight Simulator

This paper describes the design, development, and sample applications of a cost-effective, but powerful helicopter flight simulator. The Pilot/Rotorcraft Intelligent Symbology Management Simulator (PRISMS) has been developed to provide many of the features of simulators costing hundreds of times as much. An immersive, virtual reality approach has been used so that the pilot can turn his head to observe the aircraft or terrain in any direction. PRISMS offers head-tracked HMD symbology in screen-fixed, aircraft-fixed, and earth-fixed frames of reference, overlaying a gaming area of realistic terrain. PRISMS facilitates “quick-look” demonstrations, formal experiments, and training applications. The flight symbology, aircraft handling, and other characteristics are easily changed to suit the needs of the investigator. The system is portable for research or training in the field. This paper also describes the results of recent research conducted with 14 AH-64 Apache pilots in the evaluation of virtual waypoint and engagement area symbols as well as five other useful new HMD symbols.