FEST - Flight Engineering Systems Trainer

Citation

(1998), "FEST - Flight Engineering Systems Trainer", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 70 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.1998.12770baf.019

FEST - Flight Engineering Systems Trainer

FEST (Flight Engineering Systems Trainer)

FEST is a training aid which provides a simulation of aircraft, aircraft instruments, motion and visuals. It is a development of Data Sciences' SIGMA flight simulation technology. The FEST technology offers a very cost-efficient and versatile training simulation.

FEST allows engineering students to experience practically, the aspects of training normally only covered from a theoretical perspective. The trainer is used by students to understand the flight and handling characteristics of different types of modern aircraft, for example students are able to alter the design parameters of an aircraft and experience "hands-on" how these changes affect its behaviour from within the cockpit.

There are five main elements of the FEST trainer: the flight model (FM) which controls the behaviour of the aircraft, the cockpit display (CD) which simulates the flight instruments and controls, the outside world view (OSWV) which provides the visual and navigation cues, the motion platform providing six degrees of freedom movement for the cock-pit capsule and the instructor station (IOS) which consists of a rugged notebook PC located at the instructor's desk or within the capsule. The capsule itself contains seats for pilot and instructor, the latest high quality visual systems and a full set of force-feedback flight controls.

Data Sciences worked closely with various sub-contractors to define five specific aircraft models simulating the Jetstream 31, Cessna 72, RAF Hawk T Mk 1a, Boeing 737 and the Lockheed Hercules C 130K.

Data Sciences worked with ILOG to create the cockpit instrument and instructor station graphics. Using object-oriented software components from ILOG and ILOG views, a 2D graphical user interface (GUI) builder and engine, has helped Data Sciences develop a flight simulator to train RAF pilots and engineers to design and fly various types of aircraft. ILOG's software is a library of customisable pre-built components that simulate real cockpit instruments. Pilots and engineers interact with ILOG views, activating simulated cockpit instruments as if they were flying real aircraft. ILOG views assigns each cockpit instrument a particular behaviour appropriate to the aircraft being simulated. The flexibility of ILOG views means that the type of aircraft cockpit can be changed at the switch of a button. Data Sciences use of ILOG software components has assisted in reducing the cost of buying and running aircraft simulators.

Royal Air Force Cranwell

Department of Specialist Ground Training (DSGT)

DSGT provides initial specialist and advanced training for RAF engineers and supply officers (including overseas officers whose numbers are increasing). Over 140 students are currently training on established courses ­ lasting from a few days to 51 weeks ­ in a variety of engineering and supply subjects for junior and senior officers.

In 1996, Data Sciences realised that the increases in processing power provided by today's PCs, meant that they could add a motion platform to SIGMA, which later became their centrepiece at the 1996 Farnborough Air Show. Prospective purchasers were intrigued by the capability offered in such a low cost package and so this demonstration led to the development of a FEST trainer to the Department of Specialist Ground Training (DSGT) at RAF College, Cranwell.

The development of a FEST trainer for the DSGT prompted a number of questions, all of which were amply answered by DSL and DSGT.

Q. How does the FEST work?

A. FEST (Flight Engineering Systems Trainer) comprises a network of ordinary desktop PCs connected together via an Ethernet Network. Each PC provides a different computer model. These models together provide a simulation of the aircraft, the aircraft instruments, motion and visual world. The system is co-ordinated by an instructors' operating station (IOS), a rugged PC which can be located at either the IOS desk or within their capsule.DSL

Q. What is the technology used?

A. Simply, PCs that you would find on any office desk. The system uses 20MHz Pentium machines with 32Mb of RAM; this ensures future growth as far as possible. A hardware interface card is required to connect the flying controls and cockpit switches. We also use the AWE32 sound card on some of our systems. The most advanced hardware component in the system is the 3DFX graphics card. This is the same card that is used in the latest PC games. It provides the high quality 3D displays essential for effective visual cues. The motion system is provided by Intersim, a leader in the entertainment simulation market. The motion system is also controlled by a PC. There are six hydraulic rams which provide six degrees of freedom movement (Pitch, Roll, Yaw, Surge, Heave and Sway). The PCs communicate through a Micro-Hub using 10 base-T Ethernet TCP/IP protocol. This is the standard Ethernet network that is probably used by your PC at work.DSL

Q. What is OSWV?

A. The outside world view (OSWV) generation software has been written by DSL, a wholly owned subsidiary, and is a true representation of the real world. The area around RAF College, Cranwell has been produced using aerial photographic survey data. The terrain elevation is true to the real world over the whole of the UK and a large part of Western Europe. Features such as coastlines are modelled. Photographs of the buildings surrounding the runway were used to generate realist textures. Beyond the Cranwell area we use a generic pattern of fields; this is sufficient to meet the training needs. The visual database was created using Multigen on a silicon graphics machine, converted to the open GL format and downloaded onto the PC. Once on the PC, our task has been simplified through the use of Realimation, a set of graphic library routines developed by a UK company Datapath for the 3DFX graphics card. The system you see is, due to its PC-based design, inherently upgradable.You can see the quality of display that can be generated today. The prospects for tomorrow are even more exciting.DSL

Q. What is the FEST used for?

A. The FEST is used to support the training of RAF engineer officers on their initial specialist courses (Engineer Officer Training Parts 1 and 2) and also on the department's MSc course (ASEC, Advanced Systems Engineering Course). It provides practical experience of a range of aircraft design, aircraft performance, flight testing and stability and control concepts, which would otherwise not be available, in a safe and controlled environment in a way which captures the students' interest.DSGT

Q. Is it reliable?

A. Yes, we have had some minor problems which were identified and solved during a reliability demonstration. This accepted, FEST has achieved greater than 97 per cent availability over the period from May 97. We think that this is an excellent performance record. The motion system is in use throughout the world and we expect that it will continue to provide a high level of availability.DSL

Q. What aircraft types does FEST currently model?

A. This is the unique aspect of the FEST. The flight model is designed to accept over 100 parameters from the instructor. These parameters can describe the majority of subsonic fixed wing aircraft. The system has been delivered with five example models (Hawk Jet, Cessna 72, Jetstream 31, Boeing 737 and C130 Hercules); the RAF use these models as the basis for their teaching. Over time it is anticipated that many more models will be developed.DSL

Q. What are the FEST's limitations?

A. Any simulation will have its limitations; these are inherent in the models used. We balance the cost of providing the system against the fidelity of its parts. The flight model, for example, does not simulate the stall precisely for each aircraft above. Rather we simulate a smooth roll off. The model simulates the atmosphere up to 33,000ft; above this a different model applies. The graphic system uses digital terrain elevation data with height posts at 150m spacing and over large flat areas will combine data points to reduce processing. The motion system cannot mimic sustained "g" or co-ordinated turns. The system has been designed to fool the human brain providing the appropriate cues. All of these limits have been designed to scope the simulation without compromising the training objectives.

DSL

Q. How does the motion work?

A. The motion system can exert limited forces on the user. To simulate acceleration, for example, the user is initially accelerated and the capsule tips back to sustain the feeling. This is controlled by a PC and the motion is driven by Hydraulics. There is a hydraulic power unit in the basement which provides and maintains the hydraulic pressure. Computer controlled valves and feedback transducers control the position of each ram and hence the motion.DSL

Q. How long was the project?

A. The FEST was ordered in mid-December 1996 and delivered in mid-May 1997. This includes establishing the requirements, design, manufacture and test. This emphasises the benefits of Data Sciences Sigma technology to deliver bespoke products in short timescales.

DSL

Q. How many have been built?

A. The Sigma technology has been used to provide simulators to British Airways, RAF College, Cranwell, Multi-Engine Training School (3) and National Air Traffic Services. These systems are used for training and future system development. The FEST at the RAF College is a development specifically for DSGT; however, DSL hope that we will be successful in selling similar systems in the UK and around the world.DSL

Q. How do the students use the FEST?

A. The combination of a two-seater capsule and two-way intercom allows the FEST to be used in two ways:

(1) The instructor can undertake the demonstration with one student alongside in the cockpit and the rest of the class outside observing the repeat monitors. Students can be informed of what is happening and what to look for using the intercom. By using the instructor operating station (IOS) computer inside the capsule, the instructor can demonstrate the effects of changing the aircraft configuration without the need to stop the machine and leave the capsule. This sort of demonstration is less "hands on" for the students and is used where more complex manoeuvres are involved requiring high levels of familiarity and experience with the system.

(2) The capsule can be "flown" by two students with the instructor on the IOS controlling the exercise and leading the students inside while informing the rest of the class outside of what is happening and what to look for. This method is more student-centred and gives them a more complete picture of all aspects of aircraft performance and flight testing.DSGT

Q. What role does DSGT play in the RAF?

A. The department's role is to give initial and advanced specialist training to all officers from the engineer and supply branches of the Royal Air Force.DSGT

Q. What benefits do DSGT expect to see through the procurement of the FEST?

A. As already stated, the FEST is a training aid which allows engineering students to experience, practically, aspects of training which had previously only been covered from a theoretical perspective. Practical demonstrations such as this help to reinforce the learning process and thus ensure a greater understanding of complex technical subjects. The benefits will be felt by the students, through an increased level of understanding; by the DSGT staff, through the increase in the range of training methods at their disposal and the extra flexibility that the FEST affords them; and by the RAF generally through the increased standards of the training and technical understanding of its engineer officers.DSGT

Q. How did DSGT meet its training needs before the FEST was installed?

A. Before the installation of the FEST, the training needs were met by more traditional instructional methods, i.e. a combination of the use of the whiteboard, OHP, video, multi-media presentations and lectures. There was limited practical involvement in the areas that the FEST now covers.DSGT

Q. How have you built FEST into the MSc course?

A. Although the FEST was not received in time to be used with classes on the 1997 ASEC, it will form an integral part of both the aircraft performance and aircraft design modules on future courses. Students will be able to investigate the conceptual designs that they produce and obtain first-hand experience of the effects of design changes on the way that the aircraft performs. One of this year's individual projects is the development of a model of one of the flying club's Grob aircraft. The performance of the student's model will be checked with actual data gathered from flight tests of the aircraft itself. In future, it is intended that students on the ASEC will all have the opportunity to examine their conceptual design's performance using the FEST.

Q. What has the been the reaction from students?

A. Students have reacted very favourably to the introduction of the FEST. They find that their learning process has been made much easier by the practical demonstrations the FEST can offer. One of the students on the current Master's degree course (Flt Lt Adam Sansore) is using the FEST in his personal project comparing results from actual flights with those produced by a model he will develop for the FEST. There are also group design projects and on one of these, involving a conceptual aircraft design, the students will make use of the FEST.

Q. Has it saved (how will it save) you money?

A. It is too early to see how the FEST can save us money in the training area, but in the longer term any improvement to training can only improve the understanding and efficiency of our officers. This could have significant airworthiness and flight safety implications which in turn could save the RAF money.

Q. Why did you choose Data Sciences?

A. Data Sciences was using proven off-the-shelf technology, which meant short deliver timescale and the RAF have had prior experience of dealing with the company.DSGT

Q. How much software re-use (percentage) are you achieving with the Sigma technology?

A. The re-use between projects has been very high; in general we hope to achieve greater than 75 per cent re-use, dependent on the customers' bespoke requirements. The areas of greatest re-use are the instruments and the flight model. In general, all aircraft use the same format with minor differences in layout/size and colour and the physics of flying does not change.

Q. What aircraft/flight characteristics are modelled within FEST?

A. The flight models the flight of the aircraft in 3D space and on the ground. This includes atmospheric and wind effects. The instructors can choose from five default models provided by Data Sciences or they may choose to define their own. Each aircraft data file describes around 100 key characteristics. These encompass all that is a fixed wing aircraft; they are grouped as follows: mass, wing/fuselage, tailplane, fin, control surfaces, engines, undercarriage, flaps and brakes. In order of importance, these affect: stability, dynamics, control, performance, undercarriage and flaps and gear aerodynamics. The parameters range from the position of the wings, tail and pilot, through the lift creating properties, drag properties and angles at which the aerodynamic surfaces operate.DSL

Q. How easy is it to create and add new aircraft models. Can you do this yourself (i.e. RAF)?

A. A different aircraft may be selected simply by selecting a new data file. A new aircraft may be created from an existing model e.g. a Boeing 767 could be created from a 737 model. For completely new types a new file would need to be created. The majority of the parameters can be gleaned from publications such as Jane's or technical data. The software also assists this process using a series of expert rules. There are some parameters which are more difficult to quantify and require a degree of experimentation and "flight testing" to tune the model so that it behaves correctly.DSL

Q. What is the benefit of the motion platform?

A. The motion platform provides the motion cues which, together with the visual cues, reinforce the training. It is one thing to experience the onset of instability visually, experiencing the motion associated with an instability is quite another. Under extreme conditions the instructor has to stop the motion to spare the occupants of the capsule a very bumpy ride!DSL

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