SEPT2 Programme
Synthetic Environment Procedural Trainer
Fixed Wing and Rotary Aircraft Marshalling Simulator
The SEPT System is designed to assist students at the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering (DCAE) RAF Cosford in the practices of marshalling aircraft. Students get to experience a wide range of fixed wing and rotary aircraft including; Jet provost, Eurofighter, Hercules, C17 Globemaster, Puma, Merlin and Apache 64 Longbow.
The system delivers an unrivalled simulated experience by immersing the trainee into the airfield environment by way of a 3m high 150 degree wrap around screen. To aid the trainee’s situational awareness the system also features true 3D positional sound delivered by the 5.1 surround sound system with speakers positioned at key points around the training room. The visuals are delivered to the large screen by way of 3 high resolution overhead projectors, each projected image is mapped perfectly to the screen with the use of our built-in software edge-blending and geometry correction tools.
Instructor System:
The Instructor Control Facility (ICF) was ergonomically designed around the operator’s duties during a typical training day. The system also includes CCTV footage recorded live and displayed on the ICF during each students training session, this along with all session data is saved and can be recalled later for review purposes.
The ICF is configured with a series of pre-built lessons that support a host of training scenarios for all included aircraft types. Sessions are automated and controlled by way of a large touch screen interface, the live session prompts the operator for input when a task choice is required, the operator selects the desired choice based on the students signals via the live video feed and so on…
The aircraft being marshalled can be either ‘computer controlled’ or manually controlled by the operator by way of a joystick (pictured above).
The video below shows the Jet Provost Engine Start Scenario
Trainee Experience:
The trainee’s main interaction with the system is by way of performing NATO marshalling signals in front of the large screen with 3 additional floor sensor pressure pads to alter the view position.
During a typical training scenario the student will communicate with both pilot and ground crew using only marshalling signals in order to perform the required tasks. The student’s signals are recorded live by way off CCTV which is monitored by the ICF operator who will respond accordingly. Some scenarios are designed to support multiple trainee marshalling positions located around the dispersal allowing many students to be trained at the same time, each takes their position in front of the screen when the software moves between marshalling positions.
Custom Features:
Shown above is the geometry correction and edge-blending tools specifically developed for this project. Each projector displays an image on a 3rd of the large screen and each of these images requires ‘blending’ and ‘stretching’ (geometry correction) to seamlessly match the edges and scenery of each projected image. The result is a single perfectly seamless image that spans the whole screen.
Lesson examples:
- Jet Provost – Engine start, Continuous loop, Manual Loop, See In, See Out.
- Eurofighter – Multi See In, Multi See Out.
- C17 Globemaster – See In, See Out, See Out Rollback.
- C130 Hercules – See In, See Out, See Out Rollback.
- Merlin Helicopter – See In, See Out.
- Puma Helicopter – See In, See Out, See Out Rollback.
- Apache – See In, See out, Underslung Load,