Helicopter Crew Training

Bluedrop Training & Simulation’s CH-47 Chinook Rear Crew Mission Trainer (RCMT) is a fully immersive virtual training device for mission-specific, rear-crew training. The cutting-edge simulator provides a realistic virtual environment provided by VBS4 in which the rear-crew of a helicopter can develop skills in team-wide communication during mission training — all within a scale model replica of the helicopter fuselage. 

Bluedrop’s system combines several cutting-edge features including wireless HMDs and a full-fidelity hoist system. The high-fidelity hoist system provides haptic feedback including wind loading and wind effects as well as weight effects. Trainees can work with a variety of sling load, hoist and defence operations, such as virtual replenishment, search and rescue (SAR) and hoisting for survival. The RCMT can integrate with a variety of flight deck training devices.

The system leverages VBS4 for the 3D virtual training environment and BISim^TM worked with Bluedrop to integrate Open Source Virtual Reality with VBS4 to support OSVR compatible head-mounted displays. 

Bluedrop, a Canadian-based system integrator, designs and develops advanced training solutions including highly interactive courseware and state-of-the-art training and simulation products. The company’s CH-47 Chinook RCMT was developed in partnership with Boeing and is now in use at Boeing’s Philadelphia production facility. Though the project originally focused on the Chinook, the frame and its components of the simulator can be modified to support other helicopter variants.

“The RCMT was designed to enhance operator training in gunnery, search and rescue hoisting, slung loads, conning and crew communication in a controlled and safe environment,” said Jean-Claude Siew, Bluedrop’s Vice President, Technology & Simulation. 

Complete with a whole world database, real-time rendering of detailed visual cues, realistic sea states and movement of wind over grass and sand supplied by the VBS game engine, the user will feel completely immersed in the virtual environment. 

BISim’s Professional Services team assisted Bluedrop with the development of skeleton control samples for 3D avatars, helicopter landing and descent plugins using VBS Fusion, the dedicated API for VBS from SimCentric Technologies. 

According to Scott Kaiser, Bluedrop’s Director, Product & Development, “The powerful VBS game engine offers flexibility, enabling instructors to change conditions in the simulated environment like sea states or provide visualization states like night-vision on the fly.” 

The enhanced training capabilities of the RCMT increase readiness in helicopter crews, provides varying environmental scenarios and can be configured to replicate any time of day or night. The RCMT prepares trainees for all procedural aspects of rear-crew tasks and skill sets. Simulation covers training in all terrain types including sea, coast, cliff face and heavily wooded areas.

For more information, visit bluedropts.com.