3D Training System for Naval Aircraft Maintenance Personnel
Digital Radiance designed and developed the interactive 3D graphics for the
6E34 Gyroscope Gimbal Trainer used by the Naval Air
Tactical Training Command (NATTC) at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. The
trainer concept, also designed by Digital Radiance, uses a large-screen projection system
to teach the basic components and functions of the gyroscope-based inertial navigation
system common to all modern aircraft. This trainer replaced a tedious mechanical mockup
and has set the new standard to which all training systems are developed for NATTC.
The trainer's first section demonstrates the effects of pitch, roll, and yaw on the
aircraft's gyroscope gimbal system, shown in the center of the trainer's display. To
provide further context, an FA-18 jet and the pilot's Attitude-Direction Indicator (ADI)
are shown in opposite corners of the trainer's display. The student can interactively
manipulate the system's pitch, roll, or yaw to any angle, as seen in the following three
screen snapshots, and can observe the simultaneous effects on all of the displayed
elements.
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Zero pitch, roll, & yaw |
30 degrees yaw |
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30 degrees pitch, roll, & yaw |
The trainer's second section lists the basic mechanical and electrical parts in the
gyroscope gimbal system. The part names are listed at the left of the trainer's display.
Each part name can be selected to highlight the corresponding part in the picture of the
gyroscope gimbal system at the right of the trainer's display. A sample screen snapshot is
shown below.
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The gyroscope gimbal system with the "Outer Roll
Gimbal" part name and the corresponding outer roll gimbal part highlighted in yellow |
The trainer's final section demonstrates the functionality of each part in the
gyroscope gimbal system as the system responds to a power-up sequence or to a 30 degree
change in pitch. The following four pictures show the screen snapshots as the user changes
the pitch.
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1. As the system pitches
down, the forward gyroscope remains fixed relative to its spin axis. It sends a difference
signal, denoted by a yellow animated arrow, to the rear gyro's pitch servo. |
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2. The rear gyro's pitch
servo then sends a corresponding signal (barely visible at this reduced size) to the rear
gyro's pitch follow-up motor/generator. |
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3. The pitch follow-up
gimbal, now highlighted in yellow, begins moving to stay synchronized with the forward
gyroscope's spin axis. |
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4. The two gyroscope
gimbals are now synchronized in pitch, allowing the rear gyro to correctly report any
changes in its orientation relative to the front gyro's pitch. |
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