Helicopter Simulator – Aviation News Talk

In this episode, Max visits Skyryse, a Southern California-based startup. Its Skyryse One helicopter, has a revolutionary cockpit configuration that eliminates traditional controls such as the cyclic, collective, and pedals. Instead, it features a single centrally mounted control stick and two touchscreen displays, all powered by a triply redundant fly-by-wire flight control system and the company’s proprietary SkyOS.

The Skyryse One is half the cost of the cheapest IFR-certified helicopters, significantly enhancing safety in the helicopter industry. The aircraft is priced at $1.8 million, higher than the standard Robinson R66 that its based upon, but Skyryse believes the increased safety and capability will justify the premium cost for private pilots and commercial operators.

The company aims to certify the Skyryse One by 2025 and it plans to offer the system in other helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. The podcast includes a detailed discussion and demonstration of the Skyryse simulator, highlighting the intuitive controls and dynamic flight protection features that make flying easier and safer.

Skyryse’s cockpit system, including SkyOS, represents a significant advancement in helicopter technology, comparable to the impact of the glass cockpit in aviation. The new system simplifies helicopter flight to such an extent that it could democratize helicopter piloting, making it safer and more accessible. Skyryse also plans to deploy its system in various aircraft, not just helicopters.

For those interested in experiencing the Skyryse system firsthand, Skyryse will have a simulator at Oshkosh next week. In the podcast, the Max shares his experience in the Skyryse simulator, guided by Warren Curry, Skyryse’s VP of Sales and a former V-22 Osprey pilot.

The host begins the simulation on runway 28 in Camarillo, where the helicopter’s rotors are already turning. Curry explains the primary flight display (PFD), synthetic vision, and various other cockpit elements, including the small engine stack and compass. The simulator features realistic software, closely mirroring what will be used in actual Skyryse One helicopters.

The cockpit has a single control stick that replaces the collective and cyclic controls. This stick allows for intuitive maneuvers, including forward, aft, left, and right movements, as well as pedal turns, which are executed by twisting the stick. Notably, the helicopter lacks traditional pedals, making the cockpit configuration unique and simplifying the piloting process.

Max is impressed by the ease of flying with the Skyryse system. In the simulator, he demonstrates a pedal turn by twisting the control stick to the right, observing a constant rate of turn. Curry highlights how the system manages to stabilize the helicopter even with tailwind fluctuations, reducing the pilot’s workload and enhancing safety.

The Skyryse system includes dynamic flight protection, which acts as a safety belt to prevent out-of-control flight scenarios. For example, the system keeps the helicopter out of vortex ring state by limiting the rate of descent when the collective is bottomed out at zero knots. This protection ensures that the aircraft doesn’t enter dangerous flight profiles, enhancing safety during critical phases of flight.

The simulator also showcases various ways to interact with SkyOS, including inputting specific flight parameters such as speed, altitude, and heading. The system can maintain these parameters without autopilot, managing the helicopter’s flight profile based on air data, weather, and other inputs.

The episode emphasizes the intuitive nature of the Skyryse system, making helicopter flight more accessible and safer. Max notes the reduced task saturation and the ability to focus on other critical aspects of flying, thanks to the system’s automation and intelligent management of flight controls.

Overall, the Skyryse One and its innovative cockpit system represent a significant advancement in helicopter technology, with the potential to transform the industry by making helicopter flight safer, more accessible, and more efficient. The episode provides an in-depth look at the capabilities and benefits of the Skyryse One, highlighting its potential to be a game-changer in aviation.

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In this episode, Max explores Loft Dynamics, a Swiss company transforming helicopter training with cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) simulators. The episode provides an in-depth look at the company, its technology, and the potential impact on the industry. Max visited Loft Dynamics’ demo center in Santa Monica, California, and flew their Airbus H125 training device, the only VR simulator approved by the EASA.

Loft Dynamics’ VR simulators, including the H125, H145, and Robinson R22, offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional full-motion simulators. Traditional simulators are expensive, ranging from $6 to $20 million, and require substantial space due to their large hydraulic systems. By contrast, Loft Dynamics’ simulators cost around $1 million, depending on options, and are much more compact. These simulators feature an open design where the pilot sits on a seat moved by electric motors, significantly reducing the required space.

Loft Dynamic’s Tedd Rossi, hosted the visit and provided insights into the technology behind the simulators. Loft Dynamics currently ships their simulators with Varjo VR headsets, but will update systems as newer headsets become available. The simulators use the Valve Index Base Station system, which tracks the VR headset’s position and orientation with lasers, and 16 cameras to track the pilot’s body and arm movements. The graphics are powered by Lenovo servers running IPACS software. Aircraft data certified by Airbus ensure accuracy within 1% of the actual helicopter performance.

The episode includes a detailed walkthrough of the simulator’s instructor console and controls. Rossi explains the various functions, including aircraft settings, weight and balance adjustments, environmental controls, and malfunction simulations. The instructor can control the simulator’s environment, such as weather conditions and visibility settings, to create realistic training scenarios. The console also tracks the pilot’s eye movements and body positioning, providing valuable feedback for training purposes.

One notable feature of the Loft Dynamics simulator is its ability to integrate external sling load operations, making it the first qualified VR helicopter external sling load (HESLO) simulator on the market. This capability was recently certified by EASA, demonstrating the high level of realism and training value offered by Loft Dynamics’ technology.

The episode captures the hands-on experience of flying the simulator. Initially, Rossi demonstrates the simulator while the host operates the instructor console, then they swap roles. Max’s summary describes the immersive experience of flying the VR simulator, and he emphasizes the potential industry impact of Loft Dynamics’ VR simulators. Traditional simulators are not only expensive but also require significant space and infrastructure. Loft Dynamics’ lower cost, more compact solutions make high-quality training more accessible to smaller operators and training centers. Additionally, the realistic and immersive nature of the VR simulations can provide more effective training, particularly for complex operations like HESLO.