Flying Iron Simulations and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby have collaborated in using Microsoft Flight Simulator and 3D printed controls to provide pilots with emergency procedure training. In a video published by Authentikit, Squadron Leader Mark ‘Disco’ Discombe MBE shares his decision-making process during the simulated failure.
Microsoft Flight Simulator and the Spitfire Mark IX add-on from Flying Iron Simulations helps pilots train for emergency procedures. Specifically, pilots from the Royal Air Force’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight have been using the simulator to practice engine failure procedures before performing them in real life. The simulator is so effective because it uses freeware flight controls that can be 3D printed and clamped to a desk. This means that pilots can practice emergency procedures outside of a cockpit.
Engine failure
Flying Iron Simulations and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight work together to synchronize the Flying Iron Mark IX with MK 356, which is the Mark IX flown by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. This allows pilots to practice emergency procedures in a simulator that is as close to the real thing as possible. The pilots at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight have been using the simulator to practice emergency procedures such as engine failure, which requires them to make split-second decisions about whether to try and land the plane or bail out. To add to the immersion the system uses 3D printable flight controls from AuthentiKit.