Virtual Reality Based Flight Simulator for Training of Student Pilots

Flight Simulation has a significant role in building practical knowledge and enhancing the skills of the student pilots. While operating the aircraft, pilot students have to operate complicated set of knobs, switches and controls. Virtual reality (VR) is the emerging technology and has the potential

Project Title

Virtual Reality Based Flight Simulator for Training of Student Pilots

Project Area of Specialization

Augmented and Virtual Reality

Project Summary

Flight Simulation has a significant role in building practical knowledge and enhancing the skills of the student pilots. While operating the aircraft, pilot students have to operate complicated set of knobs, switches and controls. Virtual reality (VR) is the emerging technology and has the potential to provide better learning experience to the students. In this project a VR based flight simulator for aircraft will be designed through which students would be able to learn the basic operation of cockpit in an immersive manner. A Virutal Reality Headset (Oculus Quest 2) will be used. This project will enable student pilots to practice basic cockpit skills anywhere just by using one VR headset. It will contribute immenstly to Flight Safety.

Project Objectives

The objectives of the project are below:

a. To understand the basic concepts of Virtual Reality Technology and to lead a nitty-gritty study of VR patterns (past, current and impending).

b. To design a VR cockpit simulator of Super Mushshak Aircraft for the training of student pilots

c. To implement the designed VR based cockpit simulator on Jetson Nano.

d. To introduce a standalone (No console or PC required) VR cockpit of aircraft in the aviation industry.

e. To perform the test of the portable VR cockpit simulator.

Project Implementation Method

The project would be divided into six steps listed below:

• Studying the VR concepts and trends

This includes the analysis of what actually Virtual Reality (VR) is and what it has been in the past. Virtual reality is achieved by wearing a special device that is attached to the head, and then watching a show that is displayed inside a special gadget. Such instruments usually have a screen field of vision that is carefully tailored to our eyes so that we can see it clearly.

• Analyzing the cockpit familiarization

The second step in the methodology is to analyze what is cockpit familiarization.  It includes the knobs, switches and control surfaces of the aircraft which are mounted in the cockpit of an aircraft.

• Selecting the right hardware for the project

The third milestone is to select the best and most suitable hardware for the project. The hardware required includes a VR Headset and a Jetson Nano Developer Kit.

• Designing the Super Mushshak Aircraft cockpit simulator

The fourth milestone is to design the Super Mushshak Cockpit Simulator. This will be done using the two most famous software known as Unity3d and XPlane11 and these simulations will be performed by Jetson Nano Developer Kit.

• Interfacing simulator with VR headset

The next step will be to interface the designed simulator with the VR Headset. This will be done by changing the developer settings of the headset.

• Testing

The sixth and final step is to test the designed standalone, portable and reliable product. This phase includes testing on the pilot students who are under training to check the compatibility of the prepared product.

Benefits of the Project

As already in the knowledge of the user, Virtual Reality has vast applications. VR is taking place in every field of life now. Since Super Mushshak Aircraft is a trainee aircraft, the pilots usually practice the cockpit timings in the actual aircraft. Such practice cannot be done at all times, and requires an aircraft to be available. Furthermore, a student pilot may damage some equipment in the aircraft. This System would allow the pilots to practice cockpit timings virtually. Hence this tool would help them to practice the cockpit switches and the cockpit familiarization in an efficient manner before reaching on the actual flight.

The benefits may include that the design of this simulator can be used as a prototype for other aircraft as well. Once designed, any other simulator can be interfaced with the VR and can be used for the training.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

a) Design of a VR cockpit simulator of Super Mushshak Aircraft

b) Implementation of Jetson Nano Developer Kit

c) Interface of the designed simulator with the VR Headset

d) Testing of the portable VR cockpit simulator

Final Deliverable of the Project

HW/SW integrated system

Core Industry

Education

Other Industries

Core Technology

Augmented & Virtual Reality

Other Technologies

Sustainable Development Goals

Quality Education, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Required Resources

If you need this project, please contact me on contact@adikhanofficial.com