GB2260304A

GB2260304A - Aircraft flight simulator

Info

Publication number: GB2260304A
Application number: GB9221158A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Heinz-Leo Dudek
Original assignee: Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH
Current assignee: Fairchild Dornier GmbH
Priority date: 1991-10-12
Filing date: 1992-10-08
Publication date: 1993-04-14
Anticipated expiration: 2012-10-08
Also published as: DE4133876A1; FR2683361B1; GB9221158D0; GB2260304B; FR2683361A1

Abstract

A device for use with an IFR simulator, for assisting a flying instructor, has a verbal output module for the output of tasks, warnings or advice to the trainee pilot, a simulator interface for recording current simulated flight condition data and trainee pilot actions; and a terminal for communicating with the flying instructor. The device also includes a computer which, from supervision of the progress of simulated flight, of pilot actions, and, if required of simulated environmental conditions (e.g. traffic, weather), records the situation on line, evaluates it, issues warnings or advice to the pilot, sets or repeats tasks, and/or records the training procedure. <IMAGE>

Description

2 2 1') 3 -3 ') 4 1 DEVICE FOR ASSISTING A FLYING INSTRUCTOR IN AN IFR

SIMULATOR The invention relates to a device for assisting a flying 5 instructor in an IFR simulator (IFR = Instrument Flight Rules).

In the field of training pilots to obtain the pilot,s licence and the right to carry out f lights according to instrument flight rules (IFR), a substantial part of the instruction is undertaken in a simulator. The object of this is to learn various flight procedures and for the trainee pilot to consolidate this by repeated application. The explanation, demonstration and first attempts require a great deal of interaction between the flying instructor and the trainee pilot. In the case of subsequent practice for consolidation the flying instructor is - after having set the task -essentially only active in a supervisory role and gives occasional warnings and advice.

There is great interest on the part of the flying schools in automating the relatively monotonous supervision activity of the f lying instructor in the consolidation phase, and thus saving costs.

The object of the invention is to create a device which relieves the instructor of work during the IFR simulator training.

According to the invention, there is provided a device for assisting a flying instructor in an IFR simulator, comprising: a verbal output module for transmitting tasks, warnings, or advice to a trainee pilot; a simulator interface for recording current simulated flight condition data and actions of the trainee pilot; a terminal for communication with the f lying instructor; and a computer operable to supervise the progress of a simulated f light and 2 the pilot actions, and to record the situation on line, to evaluate it, to issue warnings or advice to the pilot, to set or repeat tasks, and/or to record the training procedure. A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterised by means for statistically evaluating the trainee pilot action using an evaluation component. The preferred system is rule-based, and takes over the supervision and instruction of the trainee pilot. This is possible since the procedures to be learned by the trainee pilot can be well described using rules. Simulated external environmental conditions such as weather or traffic may also be monitored.

The invention will now be described by way of example with the reference to the drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a diagram showing the arrangement of a device in accordance with the invention in the region between a trainee pilot, a flying instructor and a simulator; and Figure 2 is a flow diagram of a typical training programme.

Referring to Figure 1, an ISTA (IFR Simulator Training Assistant) in accordance with the invention comprises a device which communicates with a flying instructor, trainee pilot and simulator.

The ISTA contains a computer, in which training programmes are run, and which has the following interfaces: a read connection to a simulation computer, f or example via an Ethernet local area network; verbal output to the trainee pilot; and terminal for off-line or on-line communication with the flying instructor.

!! "n 1 3 Operation:

At the start of a training module, the f lying instructor may enter either complete training programmes or simply preferences for certain procedures (see below). In the latter case the ISTA generates an appropriate subsequent task af ter a task has been carried out. The level of success achieved in carrying out the preceding tasks may be used, in addition to the preferences entered by the instructor, for this purpose.

The trainee pilot is inf ormed of the task in hand via the verbal output in the form of a flight safety instruction or clearance.

Typical tasks are (the terms or abbreviations that are usual in aviation are given in brackets where appropriate):

Basic tasks (Basic), for example:

- maintaining and altering altitude, - maintaining and altering course, and - maintaining and altering speed.

Setting and holding a course above ground (Interception and Tracking), for example: 25 - by means of a VHF rotating radio beacon (VOR), and - by means of a non-directed radio beacon (NDB).

Waiting procedure, including entry procedure (Holding, entry procedure).

Procedure turns.

- Approach process:- precision approach, and - non-precision approach.

- Missed Approach Procedure.

4 System requirements in accordance with a f light manual and list of preflight checks, for example: - engine, and 5 - air brakes or flaps.

Whilst a task is being carried out, the trainee pilot receives, verbally, warnings concerning discrepancies from the prescribed input as well as advice on correction. if required, a statistical evaluation component can be built in parallel to the carrying out of the task, which documents the level of training. When the training programme is complete the f lying instructor can, if required, obtain recordings and possibly evaluations of the training process. It will be apparent that, with this arrangement, the flying instructor is needed only at the beginning and end of the consolidation module. This means that one flying instructor can supervise several trainee pilots.

A typical training programme using the device described above will now be explained with the aid of Figure 2. At the start, the flying instructor enters a set training programme or special preferences (for example landing approach). The device generates the next training task from a set programme or from the preferences, and transmits this task via a verbal output to the trainee pilot. The trainee pilot carries out this task in the simulator and is observed by the device. If required, the device will give warnings and advice to the trainee pilot via the verbal output. When the task has been carried out a scan is carried out to determine whether the task is finished or not. If the task is not finished, task execution continues to be observed; if the task is finished a test is carried out as to whether the preset training module is finished. If this is not the case, then the next training task is activated from the fixed programme, or generated from the preferences and the previous level of success in training and is again transmitted to the trainee pilot. If the training module is finished, the computer provides the recordings and evaluations to the flying instructor, this generally being carried out in written form on a printer.

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Claims

A device for assisting a flying instructor in an IFR simulator, comprising: a verbal output module f or transmitting tasks, warnings, or advice to a trainee pilot; a simulator interface for recording current simulated f light condition data and actions of the trainee pilot; a terminal for communication with the flying instructor; and a computer operable to supervise the progress of a simulated f light and the pilot actions, and to record the situation on line, to evaluate it, to issue warnings or advice to the pilot, to set or repeat tasks, and/or to record the training procedure.
2. A device according to claim 1, arranged to evaluate statistically the actions of the trainee pilot by means of an evaluation component.
3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the computer is operable to supervise simulated external conditions such as traffic or weather.
4. A device for assisting a flying instructor in IFR simulation training, the device being constructed and arranged substantially as herein described and shown in the drawings.

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