Cal Poly's Motion Flight Simulator and Motion Algorithms

Abstract

This paper describes Cal Poly’s motion flight simulator, a student-designed, built and maintained facility on the college campus in San Luis Obispo. The simulator is the source of many student projects and continued development improves its fidelity each year. The many safety aspects of constructing and operating a motion simulator on a college campus are discussed, and special emphasis is given to the selection of the motion algorithms implemented in the simulation. The final set of algorithms that were developed uses a hybrid system of “washed-out” acceleration cues that is fine-tuned using pilot feedback. The resulting motion algorithms provide all the necessary motion cues for a pilot flying an aircraft in a typical traffic pattern.