Condor Soaring Simulator Survey

<div>I sent my survey reply in, ….hope it was received.</div>
<div dir=”auto”>I think other SSI members have used Condor with a VR headset, and that option has pitfalls. However, the head-motion detector, plus multi-screens, may be more tolerable.</div>
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<div dir=”auto”>As I understand it, with the full VR headset, the user can’t see what controls and/or keypad #’s, nor the Function keys needed to be used during training.</div>

Don,I built a condor simulator and find it to be an excellent way to teach maneuvers prior to training in an aircraft as well as a way to maintain procedure proficiency. It would be a wise investment for the club…

Joe Ricciardi

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Don,

I’d be willing to kick in $100 toward the Sim, if we go in that direction.

What is the total cost of the Condor simulator?

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I sent my survey reply in, hope it was received.

I think other members have used Condor with VR headset, and that option has pitfalls. The head-motion detector, plus multi-screens, may be more tolerable. I understand that with full headset, can’t see what controls and/or keypad #’s needed during training.

I could not disagree with you more; simulators are excellent for maintaining procedure proficiency and introducing flight maneuvers to student pilots. If it collects dust it would be due to mismanagement, not lack of value. Extra coffee and cake only adds to your weight and balance difficulties.😂

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Hello:

It may be a good idea to have the simulator for the club but where will it be kept and used?  The little office is too small and crowded with lots of stuff.  The side “kitchen” area would require the removal of the refrigerators and other items.  The main area by the couch and table has too many people wandering about on weekends.  It really needs its own room that is climate controlled and dust free.  Are training hours able to be logged? Will there be a small fee for repairs of the unit?  Paying for sim time that is not logged is not too appealing for most pilots.  Will it be used in the winter? If the hours are not able to be logged and the training environment is uncomfortable then Andy’s prophecy about it being an under used toy will be correct.

Regards,

Rich

-I think the simulator would definitely be a good training aid for student pilots, especially younger ones. I recognize my bias on this angle, having two kids learning to fly.-I think the simulator would be an excellent tool for the spring recurrent training for ALL pilots, an easy way to make the first couple actual flights more productive, especially with things like simulated rope breaks and other emergencies sometimes too dangerous to do in the actual glider.-On a day like last Sunday, when many people were waiting on the tow plane to either be fixed or go home, a simulator might have made for a productive day for several. The same could happen while waiting for wind to die down, or rain to pass.-It may be a good way to ’test fly’ some different types of gliders, or to learn to fly with mountain wave, or ridge line lift without leaving Illinois.

On the flip side…-Rich’s comments about where to put it are difficult to dispute. I don’t know the space available as well as most here, but could loft space be built somewhere?-It is a further burden on some already busy instructors. I would probably back whatever decision they made regarding the investment.-Even at 50% off, $2500 is real money to a small club, and there may be members who have zero desire to use one.

Overall, I am in favor of at least further exploration of getting a simulator, but will back the decision of the board or membership if it comes to a vote.

Mike Palmer

For concerns and worries, easy contacts for Condor world are SSA’s Don Kroesch at Condortraining@ssa.org…..or SSA’s  Scott Manley at his website:  gliderCFI.com.

Hello:

I have used simulators at work for years and some are very realistic.  There are also on line decision making “simulators” that can also be educational.

For example:  https://www.policedefense.org/decisionpoints/simulator1/

I also use mannequins with feedback for CPR/AED training and simulated AEDs.  We have training tourniquets and the associated fake arms and legs for Stop the Bleed training.  I know the value of training items.  I also know about storage space, equipment maintenance, proper training facilities, etc.

We just need to do things right.  It may be beneficial for safety but it should not be required for club members to use it to be eligible to fly for the season.  It should also not qualify as a spring checkout.  Simulators can not be used for WINGS flight training.  Some club members also may not fly a video game well but are excellent pilots so no one should be judged about how well they fly a simulator.  A thorough discussion needs to happen and then if we do get the simulator we need to properly support it.  I am willing to give it a try but since I have never “flown” the Condor simulator I do not know how good it would be for me.  I thank the board for allowing each member to be surveyed and for this open discussion.  I applaud Andy for making his unvarnished comment that it can become an unused toy if it is not properly deployed and supported and getting us to really think about how and where it will be ultilized.

Regards,

Rich