Frequently Asked Questions
Q1 : Why not build a REPLICA, rather than REPRESENTATIVE cockpits ?
A1 : A replica cockpit with replica instruments becomes verrry expensive and verrry time consuming. Our method is to use very similar instruments within the correct geometry.
Q2: What projection systems do you provide ?.
A2: Buyer's choice really depending upon your available space and budget. A bare Mk.I cockpit will ship with a single PC to drive three (3) projectors. The deluxe Mk.I cockpit will have five (5) PCs and be can be configured to drive between six (6) and nine (9) projectors. Most flight simulator packages, PC games and DVD films will be constrained to a three (3) projectors. MS flight simulator can be configured for literally any number of projection views.
Q3: Why don't you have dynamic motion for a better simulation ?
A3: We are building three (3) varients of simulator, the Mark I, Mark II and Mark III; and we have off-loaded the simulator's computers to a ground cart. Thus we can easily mate a Raven Cockpit to a bespoke or off-the-shelf dynamic motion system.
The Mk.I is fixed base.
The Mk.II will have a pneumatic tilt system in pitch & roll axis, nominally limited to +/- 20 degrees. The Mk.II is really a Mk.I on new base and will be available end-2006.
The Mk.III will have a hydraulic 6 degree of freedom system, nominally limited to +/- 30 degrees. The Mk.III is really a Mk.I on new base and will be available end-2007.
Q4: What are the limitations of a motion system ?.
A4: Some consider dynamic motion more trouble than it's worth for many reasons including increased size, cost, health & safety issues, and reliability. Dynamic motion may sound good, but how do you pitch through 360 degrees or roll through 360 degrees and provide sustained G ?. Limited pitch & roll may be fine for a civvy airliner but it soon becomes counter-productive when you are flying an agile fighter. It's your call.
