First-Ever Robotic Flight Training Simulator

The German Aerospace Center, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), in combination with  Grenzebach Maschinenbau, just announced that they have developed the world's first robot-based flight simulator. This first-of-its-kind training simulator is capable of providing realistic full-motion flight simulation at a fraction of the cost typically associated with flight simulators.

DLR Robotic Flight Training Simulator

Mounted on a robotic arm, the training simulator which delivers six-axis motion and a high-resolution projection display, is capable of simulating highly unusual attitudes, including inverted flight, and is expected to be certified at Level D, the highest level of full flight simulators.

Robot-Based Flight Simulator Video

The simulator is estimated to cost approximately $1.2 million, as compared to the average cost of traditional flight simulators, which is usually above $8 million. With the sharp reduction in price, DLR hopes that more pilots will have access to highly realistic training simulators that were once out of reach due to budget constraints.