Environmental Tectonics Corporation has been selected to provide the Czech Air Force with its latest Advanced Spatial Disorientation Trainer, the GYRO Integrated Physiological Trainer, Generation II (GYRO-IPT-II). The contract is valued at approximately $1 million.

ETC will install and commission the revolutionary trainer in the CAF Institute of Aviation Medicine in Prague. The GYRO-IPT-II will be used by the Czech Air Force to train high performance aircraft pilots and other aircrew to successfully deal with the problem of spatial disorientation, loss of situational awareness, and upset recovery. There are approximately 20 ETC simulators around the world using earlier versions of this technology.

The GYRO-IPT-II features the latest available simulation technology including a wide field of view high fidelity visual display with real world out-the-window scenery; realistic engine and flight sounds; full function aircraft cockpit with closed-loop flight controls; and high fidelity aeromodels and instrument displays for the L-159, the Z-142, the MIG-21 and a generic, turbine powered helicopter. Force feedback control loading is included to provide the pilot trainee with the most realistic flight experience short of flying an actual aircraft.

The high fidelity cockpit is mounted on an electromechanical motion system that is a quantum jump in motion base capability over the conventional six-degrees-of-freedom motion (6 DoF) systems. The GYRO IPT II motion system, invented by ETC specifically to support spatial disorientation and flight training, stimulates the pilot with simultaneous continuous (yaw) and transient motions (pitch roll, heave plus coupled sway and surge) and incorporates ETC's patented technology in sub-threshold motion science. In contrast, 6 DOF motion platforms do not have these capabilities and consequently are not able to support Spatial Disorientation training. By blending high fidelity flight simulation with state of the art motion cueing, the GYRO-IPT-II accurately reproduces the motion and visual conditions that cause pilots to mistake their aircraft position and motion with respect to the earth's surface. This type of pilot error is called "Spatial Disorientation (SD)."

The GYRO-IPT-II features a full function Instructor station with a state of the art Window based Graphic User Interface. The instructor can call up any of the fully automated 14 fixed wing or 8 helicopter training profiles or, using the Interactive Profile Editor, create and store new training profiles. These training profiles provide pilots with the means to both recognize and avoid, or successfully recover from, Spatial Disorientation. Additionally, the instructor can introduce inputs "on the fly" to multi-task the pilot during any training session, including weather changes, instrument failures and motion inputs. All flights can be recorded and replayed. Additionally, a formation aircraft can be generated to support multi-aircraft flight operations.

In addition to Spatial Disorientation training, the GYRO-IPT-II can train pilots in high risk flight maneuvers, including aircraft upset recovery, spins, and stalls -- all in a safe, controlled learning environment. The Instrument and Navigation system uses real-world navigation data that is synchronized with its real-world visual database to provide the most effective training for instrument pilots. Finally, the GYRO-IPT-II can be equipped to support research activities, and also to conduct motion sickness desensitization.

"ETC is proud to provide the very latest in training and simulation technology to the Czech Air Force. The GYRO-IPT II's many capabilities and realism certainly will help provide CAF pilots with the tools for effective and safe flight operations. It is gratifying that the aviation community is beginning to recognize ETC's unique flight simulation capabilities" said Mr. William F. Mitchell, President, ETC.

FMI: www.etcusa.com