RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Pilot training is more than simply being strapped into an aircraft just as flying is more than moving a yoke and a throttle.
Some aspects of flight are difficult to explain or show in a two-dimensional diagram, such as using visual cues found on the aircraft to properly fly in formation, perform a mid-air refuel or land in a battlefield.
"They needed a 3D model for training," said Samuel Lutcher, 502nd Air base Wing OL-B Public Affairs graphics. "When they're flying, they visually line up parts of the aircraft."
Mr. Lutcher created a three-dimensional, high definition computer model of the T-1 Jayhawk from still photographs of the actual aircraft -- nose to tail, wing to wing and above and below. Using computer software he created a model of the aircraft that can be moved and rotated in all directions, viewed closely and from a wider perspective.
"They couldn't do it with 2D," he said of the current training tools.
Classroom instructors and student pilots who give briefings rely on paper illustrations in books and small aircraft models on sticks to present detailed information about aircraft attitude and flight formations.
"I believe that we miss immeasurable number of training opportunities because of the low quality of our teaching materials," said Maj. Hernan Orellana, 99th Flying Training Squadron. "For example, we utilize stick diagrams of aircraft in a book of regulations to teach formation flight."
He said some instructors use a bit of creativity or bring their own illustrations to make the lessons easier to grasp, but ultimately, they are simple paper drawings incapable of rendering the detail in moveable three-dimensional models.
"In addition, paper cannot begin to capture the animated characteristics of formation flight in the same way that a book cannot describe the actions of birds flapping their wings with the clarity of a video," he said.
"The only good way to describe it is with video," he said. "It's much easier to be synthesized, to get the details right with high definition."
It's the simple axiom of "a picture is worth a million words," he said. The fidelity of current technology shows small details of the aircraft, such as "little fins, little antennas, little vents," in ways stick and paper-based teaching tools simply cannot. Also, the current technology allows the model to be viewed in popular tablet devices with no modification or expensive software.
He said the technology has further-reaching uses beyond the classroom, beyond a display on a wall.
"We can take a 3-D model and put it in an Apple iPad," he said. "Not just pre-rendered video, but interactive video."
He said the model can be used in many different applications from desk-top flight simulators to recruiting videos.
"We have empirical evidence that shows personal computer-based flight simulators should be incorporated into flight training," he said.
Major Orellana said they currently have one program that uses computer graphics to teach concepts but it has some security and functional issues that prevents it being used for optimal training.
Unlike the model Mr. Lutcher is making, the software is not something they can update easily.
"Employing our base multimedia experts allows for a higher quality product since they have short turnaround times and we have immediate physical accessibility," Major Orellana said.