GarageYears you are correct – as has been the policy virtually everywhere around the globe, new standards for simulation apply only to the new simulators coming into service under that new standard. And the 200-degree FOV is becoming rather routine today. Yes, there is an edge blend right down the middle of the visual scene – but the technology is getting pretty darn good – at least to the point where you’d have to know where to look and what specifically to look for in order to determine that there was a blended edge in view.
I recognize the simulator structure issues that 777den referenced, but the new designs in simulators and working with display system vendors are effectively dealing with those issues as well. The real problem is not the horizontal field of view, but the vertical fields of view – particularly an issue for the helicopter simulators because of the very large, almost directly down, field of view those operators would like to have. I think you mentioned in your earlier post that there is an effort underway to update and modernize the helicopter simulator standards as well, and I know that the 60-degree vertical FOV systems that are out there now (which is 20 degrees more than the airplane simulators require) are pretty impressive. The struggle there is going to be whether the helicopter simulators will require collimated systems (like the fixed wing) or if they will require a direct projected system – and some of those direct projected, 60- X 220-degree FOV systems currently in use get pretty fancy with multiple (5 or 6) projectors.
The thing about this that really interests me is that this is the first time that there have been truly international experts working on a common set of circumstances where everyone involved has a vested interest in the correct, successful, and effective result … and I include the regulators in that mix.