Dr. Richard Gilson, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida

"Development of a Prototype Device for Visual Flight Simulation"

Category:  Aviation: 1979

The number of aircraft requiring air space has reached a level affecting safety, the environment, and the freedom of flight. In the U.S., training constitutes nearly 50% of all flights. The research objective focuses on reducing non-essential flights by substituting flight simulation for a large proportion of these training flights. This project has culminated in a unique and patentable concept - a 'low cost' visual flight simulation prototype. With widespread use, distinct benefits can be expected to general aviation and to the public in general, including energy savings, reduction in noise and aircraft pollution, safe duplication of weather hazards and in flight emergencies, improved all-weather flight training, and stop-action instant replays of flight training operations.