Pilots have used flight simulators for years, especially for training in adverse weather, emergency landings and different scenarios. The obvious benefit is that a pilot can learn how to cope with an engine failure or broken slats without having to actually risk the plane and other’s lives – and while it doesn’t happen often, there have been emergency landings, such as the 2009 Hudson River landing, and the crucial role of simulators cannot be overstated.
However, with the evolution of technology, simulators can play another role, too, completely unrelated to thrust, lift, and all the things most passengers don’t care about. Instead, these focus on what they do care about: comfort and convenience. The Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics and Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering, operating with several partners, are doing just that.
The engineering partnership has turned a cramped, crowded, plane ride into something magnificent to behold, by covering most of the cabin – including the floor – in displays. According to phys.org, current tests include a 360-degree virtual view of unobstructed aerial views, tropical settings, or the ability to use productivity software such as Microsoft Office. While this may not address other problems of commercial flight, such as elbow and leg room, it could alter perception of these things and increase satisfaction considerably.
The ultimate intention is to create a temporary alternate reality, to mentally shorten the flights – if not physically. It will likely be a few more years before this is available for commercial beta – let alone full implementation – but in the meantime, advances in electrical, industrial and software engineering are paving the way for another breakthrough in travel. The applications, once perfected in flight, eventually may be implemented elsewhere as well. The possibilities are virtually endless. Like any other program, however, the integration takes very unique talent.
And that’s where we come in. At Dunhill Staffing Systems, we place some of the best aerospace engineers in South Carolina and across the nation. We have a large talent pool of vetted candidates and place a special emphasis on having the right skill sets and experience you need. Contact us today to find out how we can help your business grow.
