Hybrid flight simulator based on unmanned aerial vehicle and autonomous flight situation modeling

A hybrid technology of flight simulation for pilot training is proposed. The aircraft flight dynamics is represented by a flying model instead of a mathematical model implemented in a ground based simulator. The pilot controls the flying model remotely, from a ground station. The model is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which is dynamically similar to the modeled aircraft. It has video cameras to record out-of-the-cockpit views which are transmitted to and displayed in the ground station in real time. An autonomous flight situation model is employed as a flight scenario planning tool and a backup flight control method. Two techniques are described: a method for securing the dynamic similarity between the base UAV and the modeled aircraft and a method for implementing the autonomous flight situation model. Several variants of hybrid flight simulator are proposed. Technical problems of concept implementation and possible solution approaches are discussed. The overall objective is to make flight simulators more affordable and increase the quality of training and the fidelity of flight modeling.