Podcast: Simulators and How They’re Making Aviation Safer
Keeping it Real with Simulators
Disclaimer: Reference in this podcast to any specific commercial products, process, service, manufacturer, company, or trademark does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. Government, DOT, or the FAA. As an agency of the U.S. Government, the FAA cannot endorse or appear to endorse any specific product or service.
How do you have fun while enhancing aviation safety? Simulators — they’re sort of like video games for training, research and skill enhancement. Flight and other types of aviation simulators help pilots, air traffic controllers, drone operators and more to gain proficiency and get certified faster, all in a virtual environment.
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Flight simulators emerged in the 1930s and continue to be a useful tool today as they evolve with technological advancements. Also, new types of simulators have emerged with aviation’s changing landscape over the years. In this episode of The Air Up There podcast, we talk to people inside and outside the FAA who leverage a few kinds of simulators to enhance aviation safety and efficiency.
First, you’ll hear from Drone Racing League COO Ashley Elleffson, a designer of international drone race courses, alongside the league’s defending simulator cup champion Christian Van Sloun, better known as Amari. Ellefson and Amari tell us how they are bringing drone racing to the masses through a simulator now available on some gaming consoles, and how they are promoting drone pilot safety in the process.
In an interview with Susan O’Hara, who leads the training program for air traffic controllers and technicians in partnership with the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, you’ll learn about a simulator of a different kind — a mock control tower cab. Four variations — from full size to “suitcase” — feature LED screens mimicking cab windows, simulated flight-tracking technology and actual airport configurations. The tower sims help trainees become more proficient and helps the FAA certify controllers.
Lastly, two human factors researchers at the FAA’s Civil Aerospace Medical Institute talk about studies they conduct in which pilots take flight via high-fidelity flight simulators equipped with new flight deck technologies. Dr. Daniela Kratchounova and Terry King tell us how these flight simulators are helping them examine pilot performance in varying flying conditions, like low visibility, and how some cutting-edge technologies for pilots, like virtual reality headsets, are raising the bar for safety.
We hope you enjoy delving into the vast world of aviation simulation!
The Air Up There is a podcast for people who are curious about the wide world of aviation. Join the FAA as we nerd out about the future of flight, drones, and ways to make the National Airspace System safer, smarter, and more efficient. Listen and subscribe on our website, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to hear about new episodes!
