Why Do I Need OpenSkies?

OpenSkies is the first truly open, realistic distributed system for high performance PC simulation and training. Why is this important to you? Check out the facts:

Training Aircraft Pilots is Very Expensive

• Pilots must undergo extensive training for each aircraft that they will fly.
• Pilots are required to re-certify annually, and over 600,000 people hold an active pilot certificate.
• Putting inexperienced pilots into real aircraft is dangerous and costly.
• Event-based training scenarios often require cumbersome development effort on the part of the instructor.

Flight Simulators Are Used Extensively In Pilot training

• Flight simulators are now so good that a novice captain can make his very first new aircraft landing on a revenue flight.
•  Pilots no longer have to practice dangerous emergency procedures in the actual airplane.
•  Skills learned in flight simulators can be performed successfully in aircraft.
• The operating cost of flight simulators is estimated to be between 5-20% of the cost of an aircraft.
•  Simulators provide flexibility in designing scenarios, and more effective interaction with the instructor.

However, Today’s Flight Simulators Are Expensive and Difficult to Use

• Limitations with today’s flight simulation programs that are addressed by OpenSkies:
  • Current simulators are expensive (and do not run on PCs).
  • A limited number of simulators are available for training.
  • Current simulators offer no quantitative performance measurement.
  • Current simulators require advanced developers to create new scenarios.

OpenSkies Is Comprehensive Aircraft training Simulation Software That Runs On Any PC

• OpenSkies has realistic looking cockpits to familiarize student pilots with their controls.
• Point and click scenario development allows rapid and powerful customized training.
• OpenSkies has Record/Playback capability for performance analysis.
• OpenSkies has Brief/Debrief capability for further instruction of the student.
• OpenSkies provides an automated analysis summary of missions.
• Instructors may "ride" along for analysis of student performance.

OpenSkies Can Easily Generate Varied Event Based training Scenarios

• You can select from a menu of predefined events, such as:
  • Location and time based events.
  • Radio based events (i.e., Air Traffic Control).
  • Chained events that allow cause/effect relationships.
•  You can specify weather conditions, such as:
  • Wind parameters.
  • Visibility level.
  • Air pressure.
•  You can specify the initial aircraft conditions.
•  You can increase realism by adding audible radio responses.
•  Pop-up dialog boxes can be used for the student and/or the instructor.
•  Additional autonomous vehicles can be added and controlled.

OpenSkies Provides Extensive Instructional Features

• OpenSkies provides useful tools for instructors, including:
  • Scenario pop-ups for student situational queries.
  • Scenario pop-ups for instructor input.
  • Scenario pop-ups for target mission and post mission execution.
  • A mission summary interface with print capability.
  • Map and timeline display of mission and events.
  • Playback of specific events.
  • Events grouped by objective, event type and evaluation criteria.
  • Real-time tag insertion.

OpenSkies Creates A Virtual Reality World For The User

• Users are immersed in an alternate reality by viewing realistic cockpit controls and airplane windows.
  • OpenSkies supports hardware accelerated graphics.
  • 3-Dimensional instrument panels are created from photographs.
  • Users can view instruments alone or instruments with window views.
  • Detailed terrain images are incorporated into OpenSkies.
  • OpenSkies supports head mounted displays and shutter glasses for increased virtual reality immersion.
  • The realistic control system supports force feedback technology (it works with all DirectX compatible devices).

OpenSkies Technology Can Be Used To Easily Simulate A Variety Of Vehicles

OpenSkies is built with extendible architecture.

• Multiple airplane types can be simulated.
• Other vehicles including ships, tanks, cars, and trucks can be simulated.
• Each simulation vehicle uses a detailed parameter model.

OpenSkies is build with open-standard technology.

• Open GL: Application Programming Interface (API) for 2D & 3D graphics.
• VRML: Virtual Reality Modeling Language.
• USGS DLG: US Geological Survey data for creating roads & landmarks.
• DEM: Digital Elevation Model used for creating terrain details.
• SCASM Airport Data: Used for creating realistic airport representations.
• HLA & RPR-FOM: High Level Architecture & Reference Federation Object Model.
• Others.

OpenSkies Is Operational Today

• OpenSkies uses real aircraft behavior models:
  • T34 single engine aircraft.
  • TH57 helicopters.
  • Other craft via dynamically loaded libraries (DLL) based on C++.
• Realistic cause/effect scenarios that support military training exercises have been created.
• The OpenSkies software can run on any PC platform.
• OpenSkies can be employed over a network:
  • Interactions between vehicles are programmable.
  • Users can implement collision or vehicle damage.

OpenSkies Is Currently Being Enhanced

• OpenSkies user interface is being upgraded to support new options:
  • User-friendly tools for vehicle design and environment.
  • Speech Recognition.
  • Gesture Recognition.
• Additional features to be added to OpenSkies include:
  • Inclusion of weaponry, damage states and satellite communications.
  • Pre-programmed emergency events.
  • Addition of suspension characteristics for vehicles.
  • Incorporation of vehicles to vehicle communication.
  • Interpretation of additional user motions and dynamics.
  • Inclusion of additional validated models (i.e., Tomahawk missile).
  • Enhanced analysis and display capabilities.

OpenSkies Is Developed By Cybernet, An Established And Profitable Company

• Cybernet was founded in 1988 and is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
• Cybernet has been profitable since inception.
• Cybernet is the largest recipient of US government technology funding in Michigan.
• Cybernet focuses on leading edge technology areas, including:
  • Virtual Reality.
  • Robotics.
  • Human / Machine Interfaces.
  • Imaging.
  • Networking.

Cybernet Systems Corporation is located at 727 Airport Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48108 and can be reached by phone at 734-668-2567. More information about the company is available at www.cybernet.com and information about OpenSkies is available at www.openskies.net.