Posted on 06/21/2010 8:47:19 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Paul Miller has one of the world's coolest party toys: a flight simulator that is pretty much an exact replica of an F-16 fighter jet cockpit. And for a small fee -- well, $500 -- he'll bring it to your event and let the guests play Top Gun.
But making a buck renting out party entertainment isn't Miller's mission in life. He believes, fervently and passionately, that he can convince the U.S. armed forces that he can help them train pilots cheaper, faster and better.
Renting out the F-16 simulator for a party or corporate event is just a means to an end for Miller. The end is penetrating a bureaucratic Defense Department acquisition system.
"I've been trying to raise awareness for most of my two-decade career that it doesn't take $6 million in technology and equipment to train a pilot," said Miller, citing what he says is the approximate cost the Air Force pays to buy a basic F-16 simulator from a major defense contractor.
It's a quixotic quest by the Azle resident, who has been battered, bruised, bankrupted and discouraged by more than a decade of pursuing his novel idea.
For $1 million, and maybe a lot less, Miller says, the military should be able to get simulators made from commercially available, off-the-shelf technology -- computers, software, cockpit instruments and the like.
At that price, he says, the military could buy a lot more simulators, provide more pilot training time and save money for personnel, fuel and other uses. He thinks they could be portable and simple to set up, maintain and operate. Software could be instantly upgraded.
(Excerpt) Read more at star-telegram.com ...
Ping
Fully functional ejection seat too?
This would be a great tool in a classroom environment. I could see 8 of these in a room, 3 in the back, 3 in the middle, and two in the front row with instructor standing in between. Imagine that?
Before our last deployment, my team and I got to play in a computerized combat simulator. A scenario played out on a screen via a projector. We used real m-4s and m-9s. They were attached to the central processor with cables and a pneumatic hose that provided realistic recoil.
The system operator could cause your weapon to jam or run out of ammo.
We agreed, if this was available down town, we’d go broke!
Looks pretty nice, but really it’s just a clean home built sim pit.
Trying to find a link, but I know of one out there that is very similar to his except completely enclosed to give full immersion effect instead of having the projected screen.
Cool! He’s near me, too.
Try it out. Back in the early 90’s, they still had the Top Gun simulator fighter thingy and it used 4 quarters per game, that is if you get past level 1.
Does thr girl come with the simulator?
What simulator?
Does it take Quarters ?...;0)
Sorry guys. She also is a simulation
With a reasonably realistic-feeling stick and rudder pedals, the experience is terrific fun -- if not absolutely realistic. I, for one, would trade some of this guy's cockpit flash for the side displays...
Of course, today's computers have sufficient graphics power that the old failing (fake-looking ground scenery) is a thing of the past. And with today's big, relatively cheap flat monitors, a great flight experience is possible at very low cost...
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