BENGALURU:It’s a known fact that virtual reality or VR is spreading it’s reach in all sectors. Be it gaming, entertainment or real estate, to name a few. At the ongoing Aero India Show, government agencies such as the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are using VR as part of their displays at the show and the public is loving it.
The ADA, which developed the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), has two installations based on VR - one, an ‘immersive’ VR experience that takes one through processes like the assembly simulation, virtual prototyping applications and cockpit ergonomics of the LCA Tejas. A simulation from the inside of a flying fighter jet – right from the take off and on-flight maneuvering to landing – is called the ‘360 Degree Flying Experience’. Till last year, the ADA had only a cockpit simulation of the LCA Tejas. ADA officials confirmed that these are new additions.
Surreal Experience
R Nangundaya, who got the ‘360 degree’ experience using a VR headset says, “It was very surreal. I will never be in the cockpit of a jet in real life. But with such cutting-edge technology, this felt close to it.” Some lucky visitors also got a cardboard VR headset adding to their joy.
Ravi Prasad, an ADA scientist says that it was only in the past few years that the ADA developed the technology. Another official says, “VR is being used at the Aero Show in Bengaluru for the first time and since the beginning of the show, at least 300 have visited the stall,” he says. Ashwini MV, a retired aerodynamics scientist with the ADA, says, “When I was with the agency this technology had just come up. I am proud that this has come out well.”
Group Capt (Retd), Ritu Raj Tyagi holds the distinction of having flown the indigenously developed LCA Tejas, the most number of times as its Chief Test Pilot. At the Aero India, 2017 City Express caught up with him and he shared his experience as a pilot and being a big part of Indian aviation history.
“1 July 2004. This was the date when I first flew the LCA. I still remember it vividly,” he says. Grp Capt Tyagi who started in the Air Force back in 1986 and has flown a number of jet fighters as a pilot right from the Jaguar, Mirage, MiG29 but he described the feeling of flying the Tejas as “pure joy.”
Right from the first stage of the aircraft - demonstrating technology, flying capabilities to weapon’s integration - of the Tejas, Group Capt Tyagi has seen it all. “It feels as if I have seen a child grow gradually and mature right in front of my eyes,” he says.
When asked to talk about his favorite aircraft, Group Capt Tyagi says that it would be unfair to compare aircraft as each have their own specificity. “You cannot compare a SUV with some other kind of vehicle. They serve specific requirements,” he says.
Similarly with regards to the Tejas too, he says. “In its weight class, the Tejas is a very potent aircraft. It is light and small and one of the most comfortable and easy aircraft to control. From my entire flying career I can tell you that the Tejas is a joy to fly.”
Talking about the entire LCA Tejas program, Group Capt Tyagi beams with pride. “I think the entire programme has been an audacious journey for the DRDO and the entire country. It is difficult for a country to make such an aircraft and the country has achieved the impossible since its first flight back in 2001,” he adds.
The first move towards making an indigenous LCA Tejas was made back in 1984 with the main aim to replace the ageing MiG-21 that had been involved in crashes. Various versions for the Navy and the Indian Air Force.