Cut-away Simulator

[e.a.hernandez 0]

Hi,

Wouldn't it be a good idea if somebody built a computerized cut-away simulator: head mount display, hanging harness, all connected to a central computer? It would never come close to simulating a cut-away in a comp velocity 78 but it would be better than the current "hanging harness... look at the picture type of deal". What do you guys think. Too expensive? no market for it? good idea or bad?

Blue Ones

[normiss 620]

Like the one the USPA has or bigger, better, faster, stronger?

[theonlyski 3]

The military has the virtual parachutes in a hanging harness simulators...

Don't think a DZ would buy one though.

"I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly
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[e.a.hernandez 0]

Interesting. Never knew the USPA had one

[e.a.hernandez 0]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:VR-Helm.jpg


Headmount display are couple hundreds to even
couple of thounsand for stay of the art.

Computer could be any PC that can run
3-D games.

If some company already makes the software (unless this one is really expensive) it does not look that expensive to built one.

I wonder what the cost of one of this military simulator is?

[diablopilot 2]

You ought to see the one Skydive Kapowsin built. Anyone remember where that video link is?

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[FlyingRadio 0]

Quote

Wouldn't it be a good idea if somebody built a computerized cut-away simulator

Quote

it would be better than the current "hanging harness... look at the picture type of deal". What do you guys think. Too expensive? no market for it? good idea or bad?

I doubt such a contraption could be made economically viable for most DZs, much less standardized and widely used. Virtual-reality training has some fine precedent (airline training, military ops, etc,) but it seems largely cost-prohibitive for skydivers learning/rehearsing EPs.

However, along a similar line of thought, there are some altimeters that are designed for use as training simulators. Some, like the DigiTrainer by Digitude (ParaGear item TD215) are designed solely as simulators with some variable speed/mal settings. Others, like the Neptune2 (which I jump,) offer a "training" feature, allowing you to simulate high/low speed malfunctions or a normal deployment.

If training combined a simulated altimeter with decent canopy photos, or even video clips of deployments (some mals, some normal,) you could create a much more "realistic" harness experience. This can reinforce the idea that it is always important to know your altitude as you evaluate and attempt to correct any malfunction.

None of this will ever be the same as the "real thing", but as sport jumpers we practice/review EPs on the ground (and during gear-up, the ride up) so if/when the time comes to use them, we fall back to our training. The goal shouldn't be perfect simulation of mals & EPs, but brain/muscle memory, quick evaluation of the situation, and appropriate response.

I also dug up this related forum thread when searching for past training altimeter discussions.

--
Radio

[JohnRich 4]

Mount a large flat-screen TV on the ceiling above the hanging-harness, and play video clips.

[phoenixlpr 0]

Quote

Mount a large flat-screen TV on the ceiling above the hanging-harness, and play video clips.

I remember, 9 years ago my instructor was holding photos of malfunctions over me while I was in the hanging harness.

You can call it old school, but its still about the same of recognizing the problem, than act accordingly.