Flight Research Associates retained Oscar S. Garcia to participate as a project pilot on an Next Generation (NexGen) Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) sponsored study. The study focuses on Air Traffic Control optimization for air transport category aircraft sequencing (Los Angeles International Scenario). The project will take place August 14-21 at the NASA AMES Aviation Systems Division Research Center in Moffet Filed, California and uses a Boeing 747-400 level D state of the art flight simulator. Oscar Garcia Stated, “ I have had the privilege of working with James Miller of Flight Research Associates on several NASA and FAA studies and projects and on a yearly basis since 2004. These projects are conducted with exemplary rigor given that they are critical for the development of new technologies, improving safety and optimizing the air transportation system globally.”
In addition, Oscar S. Garcia serves on Flight Research Associates Aviation English division as an external Advisory/Steering Board. Most recently, IFC and FRA are preparing the framework for a South Florida/Miami based division to cater to the Latin American and Caribbean markets. Expect more updates in the fourth quarter of 2009.
For more information on Flight Research Associates NASA/FAA sponsored flight studies and Aviation English division, please visit www.flightresearchassociates.com
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Boeing 747-400 Simulator Cockpit Interior |
The simulator’s flight crew compartment is a fully detailed replica of a B747 flight deck, in which all instruments, controls, and switches operate in the same manner as in the actual aircraft. The B747-400 features a digital control loading system, a six-degree-of-freedom synergistic motion system, and a fully integrated autoflight system that provides aircraft guidance and control.
Digital sound systems provide aural cues in the cockpit, while an advanced programmable visual display system offers a 180-degree horizontal / 40-degree vertical field-of-view. The B747-400’s visual databases include SFO, LAX, JFK, DEN, DFW, SEA, ATL, ORD, BOS, and EDW airports. |
All of the flight displays can be easily modified. The simulator is also equipped with a weather radar system that includes a wide range of weather models. Weather conditions displayed on the radar screen can accommodate a variety of temperature and barometric pressure changes, altitude changes, and variable wind conditions. |
To ensure simulator fidelity, the B747-400 is maintained to the highest possible level of certification established by the FAA for airplane simulators. This guarantees the credibility of results for research conducted.
The B747-400 simulator became operational in the mid-1990s and since its debut has been in continuous use in a range of experiments and demonstrations, such as:
· evaluating Flight Management System departure measures, procedures, and routings;
· studying large aircraft carrier flight-tracks relative to Obstacle Free Zone space, dimension requirements, and crew-initiated aborted landings;
· determining the effectiveness of classroom training in flight deck automation concepts and skill and assessing the effectiveness of in-flight fatigue countermeasures; and
· examining the impact of data link and voice communications procedures, with specific emphasis on the flight crew’s ability to detect and recover from message errors.
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 Boeing 747-400 Simulator Exterior |
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