Teaching Students How To Avoid - Or Get Out Of - Dangerous
Situations
Environmental Tectonics Corporation says it sold a
GAT-II General Aviation Trainer to University of North Dakota, John
D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, Grand Forks (ND).
The University of North Dakota is now offering the GAT-II as
part of their John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. UND is
one of the largest flight schools in America and offers courses in
flight training for Private, Instrument, Commercial, Multi-engine
and Flight Instructor ratings.
Spatial Disorientation Trainer
UND will use the GAT-II to provide training in the hazards
associated with spatial disorientation during flight. According to
Dr. Warren Jensen, Director of Aeromedical Research, "The GAT-II
will provide our students critical insight to the subtle and
dangerous nature of spatial disorientation in the aviation
environment. Our plans are to incorporate this experience in our
Flight Physiology program as well as supporting ongoing research in
human performance."
Spatial Disorientation training emphasizes the physiological
hazards which pilots could experience. FAA statistics show that
when spatial disorientation is involved in a mishap, nine out of
ten of those mishaps are fatal. According to Kent Lovelace, Chair
of UND's Aviation Department, "Incorporating GAT-II training
into the curriculum will enhance human factors training at UND.
This is an additional opportunity to educate students about spatial
disorientation and visual illusions."
"The
addition of a GAT-II to the University of North Dakota, John D.
Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences will significantly complement
their training curriculum. Their GAT-II is equipped with fourteen
of the most common General Aviation Spatial Disorientation
Illusions. Their GAT-II also has a specialized Profile Editor,
which gives UND the capability to develop other Spatial
Disorientation illusions in addition to specialized training
flights." said Glenn King, ETC's Aircrew Training Systems,
Applications Manager.
Multiple Versions, Multiple Roles
The GAT-II General Aviation Trainer is available in Single
Engine, Multi-engine, Helicopter and Regional Jet versions.
Each GAT-II supports VFR, IFR, Spatial Disorientation, and
Mishap Prevention training. The motion platform provides roll,
pitch, and yaw motions in response to pilot input. The visual
display provides a photo-realistic terrain database and accurate
modeling of major cities and terrain features. The list of
impressive features includes selectable meteorological conditions,
instructor selectable malfunctions; various map views and contains
all FAA listed airports and navaids.