FORMATION FLYER, in order:
Compass effects. I don't believe it will affect the compass as much as that. The black box will be on the back seat/ cargo area, or anywhere it will fit really. People don't currently swing the compass when they load cargo/ luggage, and there is nothing in
particular in the hardware list that will be especially big in B field terms. If it does I will have to change the design details to fix it. It is a common enough consideration.
Instructor headset. I have in mind the instructor having a small LCD screen rather than a headset. I want the device to be similar in rules of operation to the venerable IFR-in-VMC hood - take it off when as and when required, back to VFR in the real world.
Loss of situational awareness. I superimpose the virtual on top of the real. So the aerodrome in the sky will obscure the land etc in its backdrop, but everything else will be as usual through the HeadUpDisplay nature of the goggles.
Controlled airspace. Again, think instructor and student using the IFR hood in the training area. This would be used on the same basis. Separation by pre-arrangement, ATC involvement as required.
Loss of Lookout. As above. Instructor has an LCD screen not goggles.
Stall Spin. Unless we are flying Starfighters or 707's, stall spin is something that kills only when at too low an altitude. Training aircraft by definition (
AFAIK) stall and spin in a controllable enough manner that this device will not bring extra risk there. The point of using it is that if/ when it happens at marginal height AGL you will have direct feedback on how much scope you have to recover, and will have direct feedback on what works and what doesn't. So, a positive not a negative.
"most accidents in the UK are caused by
1. Loss of control in VMC (stall/spin)"
As above, this will teach you quicker than anything else what is a safe height and what is not, how much scope you have and what works / doesn't work.
"2. CFIT"
I believe you, your weather is like that as I understand it. However, unjustified confidence is the killer, right?. So, I could do you up a Lakes District in the sky and add crappy visibility, and invite your student to try his/her luck. IF/WHEN he/she impacts cumulus granitus, he/she will know all about it, but still be alive to learn from it.
I don't know about walking away. I know of only one pilot in all the years I have been around aircraft who lived through, let alone walked away from, an uncontrolled impact following loss of control. I knew him, it was my father's plane, and I know he was doubting his luck during the reconstructive surgery to his face.
I take your point about lack of vortex around obstacles. Not much I can do about that, except have the instructor hand over an aircraft already stalled into an incipient spin at low height 'AGL' to provide the situation.
TACPOT
"Gathering the evidence."
Thanks a lot, you just added a million to my capital requirements. I don't believe I can do that. I need the market to be receptive to some extent. As with all evangelists, I think it is bleeding obvious, but I recognize that I will have to do some serious selling.
Question: If I took you for a fly with one, and frightened the living bejeezus out of you enough, would you buy one on the basis of the educative effect? Because the core of this is that it replaces drills, recitations and earnest nodding with nervous sweat and no scope for self-delusion.