Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1258433
Modern technologies US Air Force stawia na rozwój nie tyUS Air Force is developing and improving not only their pilots or fleet, but also new technologies - in Sheppard an ENJJPT Spark sub-unit is responsible for it. Within 6 months of existing, pilots cre- ating this branch have introduced many revolutionary solutions which made both pilots' life easier as well as found their place in the official syllabus of the training program. First element was to equip all instruc- tors in kneeboards with the iPad as MFB (Military Flight Bag, which is the military equivalent of EFB – Electronic Flight Bag). Tablets have already in- stalled all maps or checklists, what definitely makes navigation in the air or taxing on the ground easier. Moreover, pilots can easily follow multiple check- lists or procedures in different flight phases, without the need to look for a specific chapter in a printed book or a specific chart on a map. Second feature is training with the us- age of VR (Virtual Reality) glasses to watch 360 movies recorded in flight and with added comments. "Each ele- ment of training is being recorded with a special spherical camera from pilot's perspective so as to enable students to watch such movies before the flight and make them feel like they are inside the jet and better prepare for the sortie. In a standard model, firstly the instructor showed the student how to do a select- ed manoeuvre and then it was repeated by the student. Currently, thanks to VR glasses, instructors do not have to demonstrate and students can fly lon- ger time" say one of Spark's pilots. Speaking about VR technology, one can- not forget about third, very useful, fea- ture which are VR/MR (Mixed Reality) simulators. This is a cheaper and more compact solution than classical full-mo- tion simulators and in connection with professional stick, throttle and good software this is a very good source of practice for students, that is at the same quite accessible. Simulators can be connected with themselves in or- der to train formation flight, pattern flying or simulate dog fights. Once the session is ended, students can review their flight trajectory as well as actions on interactive graphs and schemes. This is definitely a better solution than presenting or discussing the flight than www.fragoutmag.com