WASHINGTON, D.C. — Mindstar Aviation Community has launched its Pilot Proficiency Demonstration: “Loss of Control.” The month-long event features online seminars, freestyle flight in the AirspaceVR simulation network, and a related scenario course developed with the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE).
The NTSB has put “Loss of Control” on its general aviation Most Wanted list for 2015. In response, SAFE and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) have sponsored this event to underscore the importance of regular training for maintaining pilot proficiency.
Two topics will be presented live each week beginning March 25 and lasting four weeks: “Loss of Control & Stall/Spin Awareness” by Rich Stowell on Wednesdays and “Preparing for the Unexpected” by Doug Stewart on Thursdays through April 16.
The scenario “Shenandoah Sortie” incorporates many of the concepts, tips and techniques shared in the webinars and presents the sim pilot with the challenge of avoiding loss-of-control in flight in the virtual airspace. Its close relationship with the webinars is a first step towards Mindstar Aviation Community’s vision for combining knowledge-acquisition with knowledge-application in a virtual flight simulation environment and, ultimately, the airplane, officials noted.
The simulation portion of the demonstration is available at eight locations in the greater Washington, DC area. The AirspaceVR software has been installed on more than 17 Redbird simulation devices from Frederick, Maryland, to Fredericksburg, Virginia, to form the National Capital Area Flight Simulation Network. Each of these devices is now equipped so that pilots can see, hear and talk with each other, as well as communicate on area ATC frequencies.