Pilots of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy are now using virtual reality headsets in conjunction with model aircraft to train carrier pilots.
The Naval Aviation University of the PLA Navy’s Seahawk Aeromodelling Club was originally set up to build model aircraft, but now encourages pilots to develop a holistic view of the PLA Navy’s aircraft and functionalities.
Carrier pilots are required to study complex aviation theory, flight principles and aircraft construction and more.
The navy has now developed a first-person flight simulator which works in conjunction with the virtual reality headsets and cameras installed on the model aircraft.
The moving camera allows pilots undergoing simulator training to feel as if they are sitting in the cockpit of the aircraft, looking around and maintaining situational awareness.