09.02.2008, 17:00
I'm not posting here as either for or against messing around with an existing FM, or even coming up with a FM for a new plane that has been developed. I just thought I'd share my recent experience with y'all.
I am a pilot for a helicopter company that is in the process of trying to get a simulator built for the rather unique type of helicopter we fly - the S-64 Skycrane. In this process, I have been to several different simulator manufacturers to discuss their bids, and it has been a real education for me as to exactly what goes into the making of the Flight Model. The amount of instrumentation/sensors that will have to be placed on the aircraft is amazing, and the number of flight test hours that will have to be flown is around 40 to 60 ! This is for a FAA certified Level 6 FTD (a Flight Training Device is a non motion simulator) - Level 3 for the JAA.
The point being, there is so much empirical data that goes into it to even get close, then pilots are necessary to fly it and evaluate the "feel" of it for further "tuning". In our case, we have the actual aircraft and pilots, but for this game, we have neither for all practical purposes. Based on what I have learned so far, I'm quite sure that Oleg has missed the mark on several models of his, but I have also learned enough to know that there is no way anybody in this community will ever be able to say that they can do better.
I am a pilot for a helicopter company that is in the process of trying to get a simulator built for the rather unique type of helicopter we fly - the S-64 Skycrane. In this process, I have been to several different simulator manufacturers to discuss their bids, and it has been a real education for me as to exactly what goes into the making of the Flight Model. The amount of instrumentation/sensors that will have to be placed on the aircraft is amazing, and the number of flight test hours that will have to be flown is around 40 to 60 ! This is for a FAA certified Level 6 FTD (a Flight Training Device is a non motion simulator) - Level 3 for the JAA.
The point being, there is so much empirical data that goes into it to even get close, then pilots are necessary to fly it and evaluate the "feel" of it for further "tuning". In our case, we have the actual aircraft and pilots, but for this game, we have neither for all practical purposes. Based on what I have learned so far, I'm quite sure that Oleg has missed the mark on several models of his, but I have also learned enough to know that there is no way anybody in this community will ever be able to say that they can do better.