Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyJWest
Is it that important though? I'd rather fly an air combat simulator than a taxiing simulator...
|
Me too. But here is one of the instances in which to have the choice would be great. Taxing is actually part of flying, especially with taildraggers, and it’s simply impossible to taxi realistically with your head blocked in a centerline view.
Planes with sliding canopy were almost invariably taxied with the canopy open, in some case (F4U, for example) with the seat raised. Most Russian pilots flew routinely with canopy open (or removed), so this is an issue that deserves some consideration, in my opinion.
However, we should be aware that we talk of very limited head movements. Once pilot is strapped in, often with the aid of ground personnel, his shoulders are effectively blocked, and all he can move is his neck. Take a look from outside to an I16 pilot and you’ll see easily what I mean.
I even doubt that a full six DOF could be considered realistic. How much you can really lean forward or backward? And how much up and down? So, perhaps a different solution can be explored, that of having four fixed head position: default, slightly leaned forward, slightly leaned left or right. Enough to peer around cockpit frame without messing up with present cockpits limitations.