Dream Flight Adventure simulators are complex systems consisting of several important components that interact with each other to create an immersive and compelling experience for learners. This guide will explain how to set up and configure this system.
Equipment Installation
Dream Flight Adventures simulators use a variety of off-the-shelf technology equipment that works in tandem with our custom software platform. All our simulators are largely similar to each other, although some variation in equipment may exist from installation to installation. The specific construction of your individual simulator is beyond the scope of this document; this document assumes that your simulator has been constructed and connected through direct consultation with our team, and that its equipment functions properly. With this disclaimer in mind, the simulator should consist of the following core components:
1. Control Room
The Control Room contains:
- A computer connected to the main display (TV or projector) and a speaker system, both of which are inside the simulator. We will refer to this computer as the Viewscreen Computer throughout this document. This computer powers the main display of the 3D virtual world as well as the cinematic music and sound effects.
- A computer connected to a second speaker system in the simulator with a noise-canceling microphone attached. We will refer to this computer as the Flight Director Computer throughout this document. This computer will run the Flight Director’s simulator control software as well as the voice modulation software.
- A monitor displaying the live feeds from cameras inside the simulator. This allows the Flight Director to observe the students throughout their simulated adventure.
- A speaker or headset providing a live audio feed from inside the simulator. This allows the Flight Director to hear what the students say to each other and to the virtual characters in the mission.
- A remote control that controls the colored lighting inside the simulator.
2. Simulator area
The Simulator area contains:
- Crew stations for up to 32 students.
- One station—for the Captain—is centrally-located with a special chair and no console device (computer or iPad).
- One station—for the XO—is located near the Captain. This station also does not have a console device.
- Three stations—for the Gold, Red, and Blue Squad Leaders—are located either near the Captain and XO or with their respective squads. These stations each have one handheld mobile device (e.g. an iPod Touch).
- One station—for the Pilot—is located in the front and center of the simulator with a yoke-style flight controller. This station does not have a console device.
- All other stations (up to 26) have a dedicated console device (computer or iPad).
- One of these—the Surgeon—also has a small handheld device (e.g. an iPod Touch) as well.
- Two speaker systems: one for the cinematic music and sound effects, and one for the modulated voice of the virtual characters.
- Colored lights that is controlled from the Control Room.
- A noise-canceling microphone that allows the Flight Director to hear what the students say.
- A camera system that provides a live video feed of the crew into the Control Room.
3. Wireless network
This allows the computers in the Control Room and devices in the Simulator to connect to each other. These devices should be configured to automatically recognize and connect to this network.
- Except when downloading software updates, it is not necessary for this network to provide internet access.
- The wireless access point for this network should be centrally located to provide strong signal coverage for all connected devices.
- Software and hardware firewalls should be disabled or configured to allow the simulator’s devices to communicate over the network.
- If firewalls are present, the following ports should be opened: 33076 (TCP) and 47777 (UDP).
Starting the Simulator
Lighting, Sound, and Environment Startup
- Turn on the viewscreen display inside the simulator.
- Turn on the speaker systems make sure they are set to the appropriate volume levels.
- Turn on lighting systems and set them to a light blue color.
- Turn on the heater and/or air conditioning units, as necessary.
- Turn on the camera system.
Viewscreen Startup
- In the Control Room, turn on the Viewscreen Computer, ensure it is connected to the wireless network, and then open the Dream Flight Adventures software application.
- It’s possible that the following screen will be displayed:
If so, simply configure the settings to match the ones depicted above and click the “Play!” button. - Once the program is opened, this screen should be displayed:
Select the “Viewscreen” button. - Your Viewscreen will now look something like this:
Note the “Access Code” on the right side of the top header. It takes of form of four pairs of letters, (e.g. XX-XX-XX-XX). You might need this later on, depending on whether the Automatic Connection feature works on your network. - No further action is needed on the Viewscreen Computer at this time. Leave this screen unchanged for now.
Flight Director Startup
- In the Control Room, turn on the Flight Director Computer, ensure it is connected to the wireless network, and then open the Dream Flight Adventures software application.
- It’s possible that the following screen will be displayed:
If so, simply configure the settings to match the ones depicted above.
Please note that the desired settings on this screen are different from the ones on the Viewscreen Computer. Specifically, the “Windowed” checkbox should be checked on the Flight Director Computer.
- Once the program is opened, this screen should be displayed:
Select the “Flight Director” button. - The software will now attempt to connect to the Viewscreen Computer automatically.
- If it is not successful (usually due to a restriction on your network), you can disable the “Connect Automatically” feature and then enter the Access Code manually.
- The Access Code is displayed on the Viewscreen Computer, on the right side of the top header. It takes of form of four pairs of letters, (e.g. XX-XX-XX-XX). Enter that code and select “Submit.”
- Once the Flight Director Computer connects to the Viewscreen Computer, the Flight Director controls will be displayed:
The Flight Director controls are now ready to use. - Next, launch the voice modulation software, which should also be installed on the Flight Director computer.
- Move the window so the Flight Director can easily switch between both programs.
Crew Console Startup
- In the Simulator area, turn on the Console Devices (computers, tablets, and handheld devices) for each crew station. Ensure they are connected to the wireless network, and then open the Dream Flight Adventures app.
- If the simulator was used previously, the app may already be open, as there is no need to exit the app after a simulation.
- Depending on your simulator’s devices and configuration, this screen might be displayed:
If so, select “Crew Station.” - The software will now attempt to connect to the Viewscreen Computer automatically.
- If it is not successful (usually due to a restriction on your network), you can disable the “Connect Automatically” feature and then enter the Access Code manually.
- The Access Code is displayed on the Viewscreen Computer, on the right side of the top header. It takes of form of four pairs of letters, (e.g. XX-XX-XX-XX). Enter that code and select “Submit.”
- Once the Crew Console connects to the Viewscreen Computer, it will prompt you to select a station. Refer to your crew station layout documentation to determine which station should be selected for each console.
If no station has been selected previously, this screen will be displayed:
Otherwise, the screen will display a button representing the station that was last used on that device, such as this:
If the desired station is presented as the default option, simply tap on the button to activate that station.
However, if the desired station is not listed, you will need to access the Station Selection screen that displays all the possible stations. This is hidden by default to prevent students from altering their stations if their iPads accidentally crash during a simulation. To access this screen, simply tap/click the screen in the upper right corner five times until the Station Selection screen appears.
- Once you’ve selected a station, the station’s Login Screen appears.
The station is now ready. - Once all the Crew Consoles inside the simulator are displaying the welcome screens for their corresponding station, they are ready for use.
The simulator is now ready for the students to enter and begin Training Mode and their mission.
Resetting the Simulator Between Missions
It is not necessary to reset any equipment between separate simulator missions (for example, when running two missions back-to-back). To reset the software between missions, simply follow these two steps:
- On the Flight Director Computer, load Training Mode. In the Script panel, click on the Play Button in the corner of the first/top Cue Card. This will reset the virtual ship into pristine condition and begin Training Mode anew.
- On the Viewscreen Computer, press the Esc key on the keyboard. This will reveal an onscreen window (pictured below). Click on the “Log Off Stations” button to return all the Crew Consoles to their Login Screens.
Shutting Down the Simulator
- On the Viewscreen Computer, press the Esc key on the keyboard. This will reveal an onscreen window (pictured below).
Click on the “Shut Down” button to close the simulation server.
- Once the simulation server is closed, the Crew Consoles will automatically detect this and shut themselves off after a minute or two of inactivity—no action is needed on the Crew Consoles. They will be ready to wake up and reconnect to the system the next time a mission takes place.
- Turn off the Viewscreen display, speaker systems, heater, air conditioner, and lights.