A Pilot's Perspective on the Cessna 172 Full Motion Simulator
We recently had the pleasure of hosting Paul Harrison, Simulation Lead at BAE Systems Rochester and a Private Pilot Licence holder, at our flight simulation centre at Coventry University. With over 500 hours of flying experience, mostly in the Cessna 172, Paul was the perfect candidate to test our newly installed Cessna 172 full motion flight simulator.
Paul's Background and Experience
Paul obtained his Pilot Licence and night rating in 2002 and has spent 30 years at BAE Systems, leading major British engineering projects within the aviation sector. His extensive experience provided invaluable insights into how our simulator compares to real-world flying.
The Challenge: Landing on HMS Queen Elizabeth
After several flights and real-world manoeuvre tests, we presented Paul with a unique challenge: to land the Cessna 172 on the deck of the HMS Queen Elizabeth, the latest British aircraft carrier, and then take off again from a standing start. Paul eagerly accepted, putting both the simulator and his skills to the test.
Paul's Experience in the Simulator
Immersive Environment:
"The simulator is a fully immersive Cobra Dome projection environment with a highly accurate Cessna 172SP cockpit at its centre, featuring the Garmin G1000 glass cockpit configuration. The combination of the motion platform and the X-Plane flight model creates a compelling environment for simulation, training, and experimentation."
Visual and Navigation Accuracy:
"All the cockpit windows are surrounded by a visual environment that allows for normal scans and lookouts, just like in a real aircraft. The ORBX Scenery enhancement for X-Plane offers near real-world accuracy, making familiar areas instantly recognisable, which is crucial for VFR navigation. IFR navigation is also fully supported with accurate radio aids and beacons."
Flight Handling:
"The cockpit is a one-to-one match for the C172, and the flight handling is impressively accurate thanks to the X-Plane flight model. The motion platform, while more compact and cost-effective than traditional systems, delivers a convincing flying experience. I tested various flight phases, from take-off to landing, as well as challenging manoeuvres like stalls and steep turns. The simulator effectively replicates the real-world feel of these actions, minus the full G-force effects."
Facing the Carrier Landing Challenge
"The challenge of landing on HMS Queen Elizabeth was a true test of the simulator's capabilities. Executing a short field landing on a runway suspended above water, with the back of the ship representing a cliff face, was both exhilarating and demanding. The simulator’s accuracy shone through, providing a realistic feel throughout the approach and landing. The departure was equally successful, with the ski ramp assisting in achieving the best climb rate. The entire experience confirmed the simulator's precision and effectiveness."
Final Thoughts
Alexander Bradley, Managing Director of Cobra Simulation, commented: "BAE Systems has been a long-standing client of Cobra, and it was a pleasure to host Paul. His extensive industry knowledge and experience were invaluable, and we are extremely grateful for his feedback."
Cobra Simulation designs and delivers immersive visual displays, full motion simulators, and XR VR solutions for the simulation training industry. If you have a project, you’d like our team to support, please get in touch.
