AFS Simulator Centre

Check out the Video!

The video tour includes footage of the GS-1 in action.  Click here to check it out.

Current Progress

To check out our current progress, click here.

What Is It All About?

MFS is always looking for ways to improve flight training.  To this end, MFS is working with Australian Flight Simulation (AFS) to construct a facility for advanced synthetic trainers and simulators.  Our goal is to make flying accessible to a wider audience than has ever previously been possible, through advanced low cost flight simulation.

Specifically, we aim to:-

1. Bring advanced flight simulation to general aviation:
   1. Improve the quality and reduce the cost of flight training;
   2. Reduce the cost of keeping current.
   3. Improve pilot safety through advanced flight training;
2. Provide a path for flight simulation enthusiasts into real aviation;
3. Allow the general public to experience the joy of flying, without ever having to leave the ground.

We are currently constructing generic and type specific simulators.

Generic Simulator - The GS-1

The purpose of  the first phase of our project is to get a non type specific general aviation motion simulator running, using standard PC flight simulation software and custom hardware.  Note: In CASA terminology, it will actually be a "synthetic trainer" as opposed to a flight simulator.

GS-1 in flight.

GS-1 Cockpit

The Phase 1 GS-1 has been a test bed for the technologies and techniques that will be used in future phases.

GS-1 Prototype undergoing motion testing in mid 2001.

Phase 1 Specs

• Category "B" Synthetic trainer certification.
• 21" CRT display.
• Multi-channel 200 watt sound system
• Modified fibreglass pod for 2 people.
• 3 degrees of freedom hydraulic motion control
• Motion simulation inclusive of:-
  • landing gear travel;
  • landing / touchdown impact;
  • runway roll;
  • braking;
  • pitch, roll and heave;
  • turbulence.
• Limited cockpit controls and annunciators.
  • COMM, VOR, ADF selection;
  • Landing gear control;
  • Gear lights;
  • Inner, Middle and Outer Markers;
  • Trim wheel;
  • Control yoke;
  • Rudder pedals with toe brakes;
  • Twin engine throttle, pitch, mixture;
  • Joystick controls for option selection.
• Touch screen Instructor Workstation:-
  • Vertical and horizontal map display with full data history;
  • ILS approach analysis;
  • Aircraft data display;
  • Aircraft position control;
  • Aircraft system failures - both instantaneous and timed;
  • Weather control;
  • Hydraulic control.
• Integration with:-
  • Microsoft FS2002

Pitching down

Banking

Climbing and banking

Type Specific Simulator

The second phase of our development is to build a type specific general aviation motion simulator, certified to the highest practicable certification level. 

The Phase 2 simulator will have:-

• Type specificity;
• 270 degree "out-of-window" projected visuals;
• Full cockpit instrumentation

Aim for Phase 2 would be to achieve a higher level of certification.

Phase 2 Specs

• Visuals:-
  • 270 degrees non-collimated continuous view projected visuals using 5 networked PCs;
  • DLP (Digital Light Processing) projection.
• Full cockpit instrumentation, inclusive of:-
  • Flight instruments;
  • Radio navigation;
  • Annunciators.
• Type specific - Piper Seminole, using genuine aircraft frame.  As more airframes are obtained, we aim to have interchangeable cockpits.
• Support for sophisticated failure scenarios.

Why is Simulator Training Good?

Simulator training is recognised as being important for larger aircraft, but has been previously uneconomic for general aviation.  A combination of simulator training and training in a real aircraft, makes for a better, safer pilot.

Here are a couple of links to what some of the experts have to say about the usefulness of including training in simulators, as part of your flight training program.

Article 1

• AV Web: Simulator-Based Recurrent Training For Piston Singles and Twins

This article discusses the benefits of doing recurrent training in a sim.  Some of the benefits mentioned include:-

• Reduced aircraft insurance premiums and reduced wear and tear on the airplane (if you own your own plane);
• Less time wasted spent taxiing the aircraft or flying to a destination to practise manoeuvres;
• The ability to be trained to deal with any conceivable emergency situation, which would not be possible to replicate in a real aircraft.

Article 2

• AV Web: Are Simulator-Trained Pilots Really Safer? 

This article summarises the findings of a study comparing the accident rates of piston-twin pilots who had trained in flight simulators, to those who had not. 

It found that pilots who receive regular recurrent training in sims have far lower accident rates (and in the particular study conducted, not one of the randomly selected pilots had been involved in a fatal accident, which had a probability of less than one percent of occurring).

An example of photo realistic scenery under development for Moorabbin Airport

What Motion Based Flight Simulators Will be Available?

• Generic simulator
• Type specific - Piper Seminole / Piper Navajo

When Will the Motion Based Flight Simulator be Available?

The GS-1 (Generic Simulator) is here!  It was launched on February the 25th, 2003.  If you would like more information, contact MFS.

Type specific simulators will be available by early 2004.

Interested in Finding Out More?

To check out our Current Progress, click here.

If you would like to see what we've done to get to this stage, select one of the links below.

• Development - January 2002 through June 2002

• Development - June 2001 through December 2001

• Development - Late 2000 through May 2001

Australian Flight Simulation

AFS is Australian owned company made up of people in Australia and the United States.  AFS is committed to designing state-of-the-art, yet economical general aviation motion based flight simulators.

AFS is designing the custom electronics and software to integrate with real aviation hardware and motion control technologies.

Home        Return to Top