Includes Three Civil UAS Simulation Applications
Simlat has delivered its IMPACT unmanned aerial system (UAS) simulation classroom to Elizabeth City State University’s (ECSU) Aviation Science Programme. The system is widely used across academic UAS programmes and training centres and, in this case, includes three add-on civil UAS simulation applications: wind turbines inspection; power lines inspection; and anti-poaching operations, providing ECSU with the ability to create multiple simulation scenarios and missions.
ECSU’s drone operation laboratory, which opened in July 2016, focuses on providing UAS operators and entrepreneurs with the necessary skills needed to obtain FAA certification. ECSU, part of the University of North Carolina (UNC) system, currently operates various UAS platforms including senseFly eBee (Ag and RTK), senseFly ALBRIS, AEROMAPPER EV, DJI MATRICE, DJI INSPIRE and Yuneec TYPHOON, as a part of the UAS-related course offerings and faculty research. “Simlat’s IMPACT will assist in reaching the lab’s objectives by allowing the operation of five different simulated platforms in an authentic environment,” commented Dean of Science, Mathematics and Technology and Director of Aviation, Dr Kuldeep Rawat. IMPACT supports frontal instruction, courses and training activities as well as curriculum planning and development and performance analysis of training sessions.
ECSU Aviation is developing a comprehensive UAS programme that will include Education and Workforce Development, Applied Research, and Outreach. The university is expected to begin offering a BS degree in UAS in autumn 2019. Rawat stated that the programme is receiving a lot of interest from prospective students. “We will continue our partnership with Simlat to offer state-of-the-art, high-fidelity training simulators to our students,” he added.
