D.O.V.E: Dexerous On-board Vehicle Emulator

There are nearly 620,000 FAA-certified pilots in the US. Since 1980, the number has dropped by 25%, while the population has grown by over 40%. One reason for such a reduction in sports aviation licenses is the ever-increasing expense of training. Flight simulators have been used for decades for the training of pilots. However, custom software and bulkiness often render their use prohibitive. We are proposing an innovative approach that bridges the gap between personal computer trainers and costly, bulky full flight simulators, by using off-the-shelf hardware and software, but combining them in a novel fashion. A series of Objective motion cueing tests (OMCT) were conducted to demonstrate the frequency response of the complete motion cueing system of the Flight Simulator ensuring the simulator met the required parameters of perception fidelity. This affordable simulator has the potential to revolutionize the industry of flight simulation so that more people will be interested in getting their pilot's license.