AOPA Pilot Magazine - August 2021 - 45

BRIEFING
precisely follow the desired ground track
and adds power in the turns to maintain a
constant airspeed. At the end of the 8-minute
lesson, however, the computer gives
him a failing grade for straying from the
target airspeed and altitude. He immediately
resumes the exercise and says he'll
stick with it " as long as it takes " to master
the skills.
Each $14,000 simulator is built from
commercially available hardware assembled
and maintained by True Course
Simulations, an Arizona company that
also creates the educational content for
each flight scenario. The simulators have
limited motion, and VR helmets with audio
provide an immersive experience.
I tried out one of the simulators and
flew several scenarios, including an SR20
crosswind landing, and was amazed at
the fidelity, realism, and the high-impact
graphics the technology offers.
When the automated instructor voice
refers to the aiming point on the runway,
for example, the white fixed-distance
markers flash brightly so there can be no
doubt about the target. When the instructor
says to follow a constant glidepath, a
green line appears like a laser beam from
the nose of the airplane to the aiming
point. In the landing flare, the instructor
says to " look here " to judge height above
the runway, and vertical arrows appear to
mark the spot.
When a student approaches a stall, the
simulator buffets and shakes so conspicuously
it can't be ignored.
" Max, relax, and roll, " the classroom
instructor advises, repeating the
stall-recovery procedure U.S. Air Force
students are sure to hear in pilot training.
" That was just right. "
The ability of private firms like
True Course to produce and share aviation
education and flight safety content
promises to keep pilots engaged without
consuming avgas. VR simulation doesn't
yet count for FAA currency requirements,
but that's likely to change as the
technology becomes more widespread
and mature. And just because it's not
loggable doesn't mean it's not valuable.
True Course founder and lead instructor
Ray Bédard, a former Royal Canadian
Air Force pilot and an aviation educator
for more than 20 years, said the immersive,
intense experience VR provides can
instill aviation skills deeply and quickly,
and that allows flight students to make
faster progress at less total cost.
" Students quit flying for two reasons, "
he said. " They're not having fun, or they
run out of money. " In both areas, VR has
the potential to make actual reality better.
dave.hirschman@aopa.org tcsims.com
See True Course at AirVenture
Try out virtual reality simulation on
display in the AOPA tent during the
convention. aopa.org/oshkosh
AOPA PILOT / August 2021
45
Reality check /
Like other simulators, the VR versions by
True Course are harder to fly than actual
airplanes. They don't exactly replicate
the sensations of the landing flare or
touchdown, and ground handling is
far more sensitive than in a real Cirrus.
These VR sims produce highly realistic
views of the cockpit and instrument
panel, but you can't reach out and turn
knobs or push buttons because it can't
sense hand position. True Course founder
Ray Bédard says VR simulation is meant
to teach and reinforce procedures, and
it does that extremely well. It's easy
to imagine VR sims in high school and
collegiate aviation education programs,
flight schools, flying clubs, and homes.
" Simulation isn't meant to replace real
airplanes, " he said. " Use simulators and
airplanes together for the things each of
them is good at. " -DH
http://diamonddoors.com http://www.tcsims.com http://www.aopa.org/oshkosh
AOPA Pilot Magazine - August 2021

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