Environmental Tectonics Corporation has confirmed the successful factory acceptance testing of the first G-FET II equipped as an Authentic Tactical Flight Simulator (Model ATFS-400).

Over the past two years ETC has developed and produced the G-FET II for a Southeast Asian customer, a project that has produced the world's most advanced tactical flight simulator. The G-FET II is the only human rated centrifuge in service today that is capable of providing the precise variable G cues (forces caused by maneuvering the aircraft) needed for realistic air combat training for fighter pilots.

The G-FET II ATFS-400 (the "ATFS-400") combines the latest available flight simulation technology to optimize flight fidelity. This technology includes high fidelity aircraft specific cockpits, offensive and defensive mission systems, realistic wide field of view visual displays and virtual battle space. Additionally, the ATFS-400 provides the proprietary ETC technology of G-pointing that provides the pilot with the same sustained G that he experiences during actual combat maneuvering.

ETC's breakthrough technology allows a pilot to hone critical air combat skills in a safe and economical environment at 1/20th the cost of flying in the aircraft. Savings include reduced fuel consumption and reduced aircraft wear. Even greater savings are realized through lowered accident rates since the pilot can rehearse the aircraft mission in the ATFS-400 before the actual flight. The capability to rehearse results in the pilot having higher Situational Awareness in the aircraft and therefore the potential for aircraft mishaps is reduced. 

ETC is the only centrifuge manufacturer that has the capability to build and test our centrifuge-based training systems in our manufacturing plant located in Southampton, Pennsylvania. The acceptance testing process recently conducted with the customer's medical and fighter pilot experts resulted in the successful completion of more than 150 specific tests to verify the ATFS-400's performance.

These tests included, among others:

• Verification of the high fidelity of three aircraft specific (MIG-29N, F-18C/D, Hawk Mk-208) interchangeable cockpits
• Engaging in simulated aerial combat in the virtual battle space
• Evaluation of ETC's Interactive Profile Editor for creating and storing new training profiles
• Evaluation of extensive medical monitoring and recording systems
• Testing and evaluation of the ATFS-400's
• • G Training Profiles
  • Emergency Procedures Training
  • Unusual attitude recovery training
  • Spatial Disorientation training capability

The two-week acceptance testing process was a complete success and our customer is now preparing for the shipment and installation of the ATFS-400 at the designated site. After installation, acceptance testing will be repeated to assure complete customer satisfaction as well as system safety and reliability.

According to William F. Mitchell, ETC's President and Chairman, "The ATFS-400 sets a world benchmark by integrating high fidelity simulation with aeromedical training for human factors. Given that 85% of today's aircraft mishaps are caused by human factors, the ATFS-400's potential payback is enormous".

ANN Has Wrung It Out....

Over 150 experienced fighter pilots have "flown" the ATFS-400 to date and the consensus is that it is the most authentic simulator they have had the opportunity to fly. ANN's Jim Campbell has flown a number of sorties in the GFET and found it to be "a remarkable technology... I am amazed at the realism of the environment and the extraordinary physical correlation between the stresses of high-G flight and the body's reaction to same... this thing 'ate my lunch' and I'm excited about the potential such technology might bring to the more critical aspects of flight training... nothing presents a more realistic training environment for today's fighter jock without burning jet fuel."

ETC designs, develops, installs and maintains aircrew training systems, public entertainment systems, process simulation systems (sterilization and environmental), clinical hyperbaric systems, environmental testing and simulation systems, and related products for domestic and international customers.

FMI: www.etcusa.com