Exploring the Feasibility of the Virtual Environment Helicopter System (VEHELO) for Use as an Instructional Tool for Military Helicopter Pilots

摘要

The Chromakeyed Augmented Virtual Environment (ChrAVE) system was initially developed to validate the feasibility of using embedded trainers for helicopter simulation. The ChrAVE Helicopter Simulation System was an initial attempt to produce an effective tool to suit a common yet important need. That need was the lack of an available simulator. That need becomes critical while military helicopter pilot is deployed away from the continental United States (CONUS) in support of worldwide operations. There has always been a deficiency in maintaining the level of pilot proficiency while away from CONUS. While deployed aboard ship or overseas the only available training platform available is the actual aircraft. The aircraft is an expensive option but provides the only means by which deployed pilots can maintain an acceptable level of proficiency and readiness. This thesis continues with the development of the ChrAVE implementation of the VEHELO and achieves a more useful and updated configuration of the system. This thesis also validates the possible capability of the modified system to support instructional level of training versus the proficiency level addressed in earlier work.