Meet "X-ALPHA" - The world's first LSA flight simulator using virtual Reality technology

The X-ALPHA VR Simulator was developed, exclusively, for Pipistrel’s ALPHA Trainer as well as their ALPHA Electro Aircraft. The simulator consists of several elements that, when combined, offer a unique, ‘99% realistic’ virtual reality experience of flying these aircraft.

The first thing one might notice, when encountering the sim, is X-ALPHA’s physical cabin. Identical to the cabin of a real ALPHA Trainer or ALPHA Electro airplane, it has two seats -- with the pilot seat on the left side. Equipped with the same control interface needed to fly the actual airplane, the VR Sim’s joystick controls roll and pitch, while rudder pedals control yaw (just as in the real aircraft). The flaps, throttle, brake lever and electric elevator trim control are all operated identically to what you experience in the actual Pipistrel.

‘Look and Feel’ are important concepts in flight simulation. The flight controls provide an almost identical feel to that found in the Pipistrel, in-flight. Fully operational, they offer similar input/force feedback in comparison to the aircraft they simulate.

The single most impressive element of the ‘X-ALPHA’ simulator system is the use of Virtual Reality, with the headset allowing the pilot to interface with a 360-degree view of the cockpit and the surrounding landscape.

The experience is impressive… You can lean closer to the instrument panel to read the indications written in smaller fonts, look out through the window and check if the landing gear is still in one piece after the landing, or check to see if the flaps are indeed in the required position.

And… the sound? Audio is fed directly through the VR headset, replicating real-world throttle settings and audio from actual aircraft recordings. The experience is highly immersive, and designed to mimic the actual aircraft experience as closely as possible.

The X-ALPHA was developed in cooperation with Pipistrel test pilots and flight instructors, who were diligent in correlating the behavior of the sim to the actual aircraft. The simulator can thus be used for basic flight instruction, as well as currency training, and insures that ‘X-ALPHA’ is not a toy, but a real flight simulator.

FMI: www.pipistrel-usa.com, www.pipistrel-magazine.com, www.pipistrel-online.com