May Edition NASA Dreamflyer WIN! The Future is Bright Report on the 3rd Youth Aviation Conference Ultimate Traffic 2 Audio Environment FREE to ENTER Global Stories Sherburn FSUG See how this group are helping promote Flight Simulation in the United Kingdom Sky Blue Beastie What happened to Meigs airfield which once graced every flight sim PC throughout the world
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Welcome to our May edition of Astrasim Expo, as you can see our magazine has grown and now we boast 18 pages of great flight sim and aviation articles.
It has been another busy month here at HQ as we continue the build up to Summer Sim 2010. Contracts with RAF Museum Cosford were signed at the start of the month and details about the show can now be found on their website. We also attended the 3rd Youth Aviation Conference which we reported on in our last issue. You can read the full report on the visit and check out some great images from historic Brooklands. Some interesting developments with flight simulation and NASA, as Dreamflyer tests were carried out to try and improve flight deck safety by monitoring reactions under extreme conditions. Take a trip with us to the small Northamptonshire airfield, Sywell where we have a look around this aero club which originally opened its doors in 1928. Talking of aero clubs we spotlight Sherburn this month, they are one of the few flight simulator user groups in this country, but have some of the best home built cockpits ever seen. Now here is something not all of you may remember! But for those that can go back a number of years to the earlier versions of flight sim and the name Meigs might well ring a bell..... We find out what happened to this once popular airport in Chicago USA. Our look at aircraft from the hangar continues with a view of the DeHavilland Comet, and for the radio fans out there we bring you news on the latest beastie to take to the airwaves from Sky Blue radio.
Enjoy the read as the build up to Summer Sim 2010 continues, don't miss it!
The first flight of the Comet, the world's first jet powered airliner, took place on 27 July 1949. With a cruising speed of 725kph (450mph) and a range of 4024 km (2500 miles), the prototype established many records on long distance flights. With jet engines and a pressurised cabin, it offered unprecedented levels of comfort and speed for the 36-40 passengers. Unfortunately several disasters were to befall the Comet; in 1952 and 1953 there were take-off accidents and a Comet broke up in a violent storm over India. On 10 January 1954, the first production Comet crashed into the Mediterranean whilst en route from Rome to London. This was closely followed by a similar incident involving a Comet en route from Rome to Johannesburg, resulting in withdrawal of the Certificate of Airworthiness. The cause was found to be fatigue failure of the pressure cabin. After further development of the type, the Comet 4 was used as an RAF transport aircraft and formed the basis of the design which later became the Nimrod.
De-Havilland Comet
Image Comet : Kjell Nilsson
Astrasim Expo Ltd
Dreamflyer Adds Motion to NASA’s Fight Simulation
NASA’s Cognitive State Monitoring Lab is using a Dreamflyer-Driven Flight Simulation
system combined with optical neuroimaging technology to monitor Human Performance
and Cognition in Extreme Environments.
One of NASA’s core objectives is to improving flight deck safety by monitoring and thus
better understanding physiological reactions of personnel to extreme conditions. Other
potential uses include:
Brain-computer interface for prosthetic activation
Biofeedback for self-training, craving control
Brain-controlled gaming applications
Cognitive assessment for Alzheimer’s disease
Dreamflyers provide countless hours of great interactive entertainment for gamers, however, but Diana Groffen, Director of Sales for FMS
Flight Motion Simulators Inc., is not at all surprised that they are increasingly being used for serious gaming, i.e. research and training. They
have sold many units to air force bases; aviation education programs; museums; and, air cadet squadrons, around the world.
The Canadian Air Force teach approx 65 air cadets to fly real Schweizer gliders each summer at Gimli, their instructors use the Dreamflyer to
enhance their training. RCAF Captain Brian Renaud observed that “It has proven most useful for students that may experience problems with
their real flying training so they practice in the Dreamflyer and for the most part they can overcome their problem thanks to the Dreamflyer.
It works slick.”
Dreamflyers remain valuable tools after a Pilot has obtained their license. Daryl Nelson, a recreational pilot, uses his for flight planning
whenever he is about to fly to an area he has never flown over before; he also uses it to maintain his instrument familiarity. “When you
haven’t flown for a while, you forget where some of the gauges and switches are positioned. So, when I have been out of the cockpit for any
length of time I will spend a couple of hours on the Dreamflyer just to re-familiarize myself with the cockpit layout. Since it moves like a real
plane, it not only makes flight simulation much more realistic, but also much more fun. So, brushing up on my flight procedures and such on
my Dreamflyer requires no discipline on my part … forcing myself to get off it eventually, - well that is another matter.”
The Dreamflyer actually pitches and rolls to provide an immersive and engaging simulated flight experience. It works on a simple principle of
mechanics: pivot arrangement. As the user moves the joystick forward, backward, and side-to-side, that motion is transferred via a pivot
mechanism to the chassis. Sensors under the seat capture the direction and degree of movement and send it to a PC loaded with simulation
software.
The Dreamflyer has won several awards including the Innovations Design and Engineering Honoree Award at the 2008 International
Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It was also a finalist in the International Last Gadget Standing competition held in Dubai last
year.
This extremely well engineered device does not require a motor of any kind, and the chassis is so solid it will last decades with very little
maintenance. At only $2,800US it is by far the most affordable flight motion simulator on the market.
Sywell is unusual in having remained in private ownership since its founding over 75 years ago and in providing flying training
facilities throughout that time.
The first aerodrome, occupying the western portion of the present site, was prepared by the members of the newly formed
Northamptonshire Aero Club, led by the brothers Jack and Geoff Linnell and opened in 1928.
Sywell quickly became a mecca for Club and private pilots and its annual air displays attracted wide participation.
Set in the heart of Northamptonshire, Sywell boasts one of the best General Aviation Airfields in the United Kingdom. With superb airfield facilities and a wonderful Art Deco styled Hotel, it is easy to see why many pilots consider this one of the finest fly-in destinations.
The Sherburn Flight Simulation User Group was formed by John Crossland and now boasts almost 100 members, who meet on the first Saturday of every month. There is much to be said about a group of men, women and yes children who turn up to this monthly event with a boot load of computers, yokes, pedals and in some cases full cockpit set ups. The array on view is unbelievable, and the knowledge you can glean from these folks is amazing. It certainly is worth a visit over the coming months, with the added attraction of the club being held at a real world airfield, there are also opportunities to go flying for real on the day (weather permitting) It would be great to see some more folks try and get along and meet up
with like minded enthusiasts, whether you just want an informal chat or
get involved and fly some of the great systems on offer. It certainly is a day
out to remember with the cheerful staff and members making everyone