VF - 2000:
This web page is just a quick informational page to answer the many questions
I have been receiving daily regarding the VF-2000 motion
simulator.
Though I will be DELIGHTED to hear from
you, at this point the daily email is simply more
than I can handle (I think on the busiest day, I received
over 150 queries).
So, by answering the primary questions
you may have regarding purchase, rental, customization
or just plain curiosity (which I certainly encourage) here,
I can both serve you better and possibly keep my
sanity at the same time.
The first question I get is whether the design
is still being produced:
The answer is yes. A
company in San Diego called "Motion
Vision" has been producing the design and running
the simulator as a "ride only" device.
The
folks at Motion Vision are absolutely top notch
people, and have a trailer with 6 or 8 simulators
that can visit your event.
In the last year or so,
they ran the simulators for Google, Boeing, and many,many
other events.
I have some rough
footage here of several events spliced together,
including the famous "screaming lady," of
which this simulator's wild ride has produced many!
As
mentioned, Motion Vision runs the simulator with the
rudder pedals off as a "ride only" device,
but it was originally a full "closed loop"
flight simulator with rudder pedals and yoke. So
that configuration is still possible as detailed below.
Is it safe/reliable?
The VF - 200 went
through the extensive (and very expensive) process of having
this design reviewed, tested and certified by the
American Society of Safety Engineers.
The VF - 2000
has OSHA certification in California, which is
among the most difficult certifications to get.
The
original simulator gave over 40,000 rides its first
year and has now continued to function since 2003 without
incident. Only one small repair has been needed in all
that time (a $12 air valve). The design has proven
so reliable, it has been
used for flight training by foreign military pilots.
Can
I get one for my personal use?
Again, the answer
is a cautious "yes."
This question has
by far been the most common question asked, but the
majority of people writing seemed to have the idea (based
on the small size of the platform no doubt) that the
VF-2000 might only run a few hundred dollars to purchase.
I
believe my best answer to this question is to simply
mention that my parts cost alone in producing a unit
(as a turn key ready to go unit) has always been just
short of $5000. (This is the cost of parts alone,
and does not include labor, nor virtual reality goggles
which can run more than $1000 for a really good pair.)
Construction
usually takes me 3 weeks from the ground up as a "one
off," with each part being hand made in my shop.
So, my target price to complete a custom unit
for you is approximately
10,000.
I honestly believe this is very reasonable,
though I understand this may be out of the range of
many hobbiests.
In designing the VF-2000, I built several
other simpler "moving seat" designs, and for
a serious buyer, will be happy to give you otheroptions,
and work from your own design ideas.
I
also have my original protype here, which can be rented
out very reasonably for your very own promotional events,
trade shows, and parties.
I basically just
ask travel expenses, and a day rate of $500!
I see some photos with a hood, and some with virtual
reality goggles. What is the difference?
This
is an important point in evaluating any simulator. SO
many simulator designs (the huge majority) have a screen
in front of the rider, and a moving seat. This
configuration absolutely will not work to simulate the
feel of flight. In fact, I'd be as bold as to
say these designs are no better than a static machine
for creating the feeling you are flying.
Your visual reference
is your strongest reference, and it's critical that
your vision be limited to ONLY what the simulator displays
on its screen. Any outside cues will simply ruin
the illusion of flight.
Imagine the difference between
watching your T.V. while your chair tilted a bit (which
would mostly just seem odd) or being immersed in a virtual
world entirely, and feeling your body tilt as that world
tilted. The effect is phenominal.
For this
reason, we used virtual reality goggles for the platform
with no hood, and a FULL "clam shell" hood
as seen in the other photos.
The mechanical workings
are otherwise identical.
I can be contacted through my web page for CUSTOM
work, or with regards to renting the original prototype
(seen in the you tube video) for an event.
For
entertainment simulators, or other enquiries, please
contact Motion
Vision.
Thanks.
Walt
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