ABSTRACT
This paper reviews the aspects of aviation safety which con be addressed through fundamental research into flight simulation technologies. Relevant problems of aviation training are reviewed, with particular focus on the move towards simulator-based ab-initio zero-flight-time pilot training, a scenario in which simulators would be used to train pilots with no prior flying experience in large transport aircraft. The fidelity required by ab-initio simulators would be such that the perception of the vehicle state would not differ from aircraft to simulator, in order that a maximum transferability of the training effort would be realized. The deficiencies of current-generation simulators in the presentation of aircraft properties to the pilot are reviewed, showing that it is the motion system which suffers from the approximation process. The Delft University of Technology operates SIMONA, The International Centre for Research in Simulation, Motion and Navigation Technologies. A primary goal of SIMONA is to investigate the interaction between humans and flight vehicles in a synthetic environment, and thereby address pertinent problems in the development and application of simulation technologies. To conduct this research, SIMONA has created a high-bandwidth research simulator facility, and developed relationships with key industrial and scientific partners. The projected research programs of SIMONA will be reviewed, and the benefits to the safety of aviation training will be discussed.
