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Northern Paragliding was very keen to develop a more realistic simulator for use as a training tool for it's own school as well as for resale and for publicity purposes.

Andy Shaw of Green Dragons was also keen to get a simulator and was active at BHPA Exec level in promoting the idea, which the Exec voted they were in favour of. However the voluntary efforts of some members had not produced any tangible progress by spring 2006.  (Although Northern had provided a harness etc in 2003 for a simulator that never saw the light of day.)

Ian discussed the whole issue with Andy early in 2006 and they drew the conclusion that it needed a commercial push to make this happen. Ian said that he was happy to take on the project as a commercial concern, come up with costings and drive it forwards if it seemed realistic.

Ian contacted the Business link “Knowledge Rich” scheme that is designed to put academic institutions together with businesses to develop new technologies and products - the governments “Rent-a-scientist” scheme!

Paul Chapman and Ian Currer

Armed with this first order, Northern Paragliding decide to take on the project as a commercial concern and signed a deal with Hull University to design the software and VR hardware on behalf of Northern Paragliding Ltd. Hull had the advantage that the project as to be led by Dr Paul Chapman who is a keen parachutist, - with a  good knowledge of parachuting simulators and who was happy to take paragliding training himself to gain a better insight into the sport. 

Northern Paragliding are also acting as consultants on the input and feedback of the system, and designing/ providing the framework, control input set up, harness, accessories, and an inflatable one-third scale paraglider mounted above the “pilot”  (specifically for show use).

By December 2006 the first simulator was up and running and although the head tracking software was not completed, the Sim was shown at the Sport and leisure aviation show at the NEC where over a hundred pilots and members of the public had a “flight”.

Simulator at the NEC Exhibition Dec 2006

The feedback was excellent, with very positive feedback and useful suggestions from the users, and the team took the simulator back to university for final polishing and adding a few features, such as a throttle control to simulate powered use. The first model of the final version will be delivered to the BHPA at the Ordnance survey outdoor show in March ’07. In the meantime work continues on improving the design and a flex-wing microlight version is already under development. Enquiries and the first orders have already been received, and we trust that the simulator will prove both a great promotional tool and also a useful instructional method as well, allowing pilots to react to other air users, practice setting up different landing approaches or soaring patterns in the comfort and safety of an indoor environment!

Super-real graphics and total immersion

We are currently pricing production of various options on the simulator, from the full blown demo system with inflated wing, harness and stand, with projected image on a rear screen, that is useful in big exhibition hall venues, down to a  simpler version that can be run from your own PC  and on which you can hang your own harness. The basis of the simulator is the high resolution head mounted display or HMD with motion sensor. These are specialised and expensive items. 

Weight shift and brake inputs enhance realism

In the future a “home” version with a joystick or game pad input is possible, (though of course this will remove much of realism). Other variants under consideration are for sport parachuting, hang-gliding,  or possibly even helicopters & gyroplanes.

Watch this space! Or email us if you would like to be kept updated on the project.