Sophisticated new flight simulation software capable of accurately modeling the performance of firefighting helicopters could help train pilots to tackle wildfires more effectively in the future.
Researchers from the University of Glasgow developed the prototype software as part of the Daedalus I flight simulation framework, which is showcased in a paper published in the CEAS Aeronautical Journal.
The software runs on affordable, consumer-grade GPU components to accurately model the complex interactions between helicopter rotors, flames on the ground, and water dropped on the blaze from above.
Specialized aircraft are one of the key components of efforts to tackle wildfires, enabling firefighters to quickly reach the flames to drop water or fire retardant from the air. However, pilots must fly at low speeds close to the ground through smoke and rapidly shifting winds, making their jobs difficult and dangerous.
