RWL German Flight Academy Begins BRUNNER Mixed-Reality Trainer Work Under DLR ALiTrain Project

Germany – RWL German Flight Academy has begun technical preparation for operation of a BRUNNER mixed-reality training device being used within the German Aerospace Center’s ALiTrain research project. RWL technicians have received instruction on operating the system as the project moves toward evaluating how mixed-reality simulation can improve the effectiveness and economics of practical pilot training.

• The four-year ALiTrain project provides for two mixed-reality simulators to be used at the DLR Innovation Center in Würselen and cooperating flight schools, including RWL in Mönchengladbach. The research is focused on determining how effectively training completed in an MR environment transfers into real aircraft flying.
• RWL’s latest activity has involved familiarising its technical team with operation of the BRUNNER mixed-reality trainer. The school’s role in ALiTrain includes testing new training approaches within an operational flight-school environment and comparing simulator-derived learning outcomes with subsequent real-flight performance.
• One research area is Upset Prevention and Recovery Training. DLR is examining whether MR technology can reproduce the cues required for effective UPRT while avoiding negative training caused by simulator behaviour that differs materially from the real aircraft.
• ALiTrain is also evaluating the trade-off between simulator fidelity and training cost. Research includes assessing whether smaller motion systems can provide sufficient immersion for selected training manoeuvres without requiring the infrastructure and cost associated with conventional large-motion simulator platforms.
• A further workstream covers remote simulator instruction. DLR and the participating flight schools intend to examine whether instructors can supervise and provide feedback without being physically located alongside the student, using objective training-performance parameters to support the process.
• The project also extends beyond current light-aircraft training into Advanced Air Mobility. DLR plans to introduce simulation models for highly automated and electrically powered aircraft concepts to study how future pilots should be trained as cockpit tasks shift from conventional aircraft handling toward supervision and understanding of increasingly complex flight-control systems.
• RWL states that its interest in the project includes identifying whether mixed-reality technology can reduce training costs while maintaining training quality, particularly through optimized motion simulation and remote-instructor concepts.

About RWL German Flight Academy
RWL German Flight Academy is a Mönchengladbach-based German flight training organisation established in 1972 and providing training from private pilot through professional airline qualifications, including simulator and type-rating activity. Its Mönchengladbach operation uses 20 training aircraft and four flight simulators to support professional pilot training.

About German Aerospace Center
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is Germany’s national aeronautics and space research organisation. Its aviation research includes flight simulation, mixed-reality technologies, pilot-training effectiveness and development of simulation concepts for highly automated and Advanced Air Mobility aircraft.

Source: RWL German Flight Academy & German Aerospace Center (DLR)