CV-1 CHARIOT
The CV-1 was a commissioned simulator in 2015 by Conair of Canada ( http://conair.ca/ ) who specialize in aerial firefighting. They specifically needed to reproduce a Cessna Caravan cockpit for training pilots in what they call their “Bird Dog” aircraft. Conair uses the Cessna Caravan as a spotter aircraft whose purpose is to locate and assess forest fires, tag the location via GPS / Latitude and Longitude and then set up the best route of entry and exit for their larger water tanker aircraft.
Because this job is complex, fast paced and requires a great deal of aerial maneuvering, they needed a realistic simulator which could fulfill that job. After a thorough search on the web, it was only SimSamurai who could fulfill their needs, all at an affordable pricepoint.
And on that day, …the CV-1 Chariot was born.
Like all professionally made cockpits from SimSamurai we wanted to make sure the cockpit shell looked and felt as close to a real Cessna Caravan as possible so we took many interior and exterior measurements of the real aircraft and then applied that to our form follows function ideology to create something that both felt like the real aircraft but was also something that had many other functional attributes for a professional level training simulator. This included areas for checklists and crew training binders as well an instrument panel that uses both touchscreens and a central tactile radio stack with Garmin GPS.
The CV-1 is 72″ wide x 72″ deep x 65″ tall and was specifically designed to fit into a 12′ x 12′ room as shown in pictures for a fully panoramic projection screen. The roof was slightly raised to better accommodate ingress / egress and was done so that any standing instructor can see both the instrument panel easily, as well the projection screen. Therefore no view is ever impeded for any team member. Lastly, the CV-1 is made of high quality solid-core birch plywood and is fully skinned with ABS plastic. The side windows are the exact size and position of the real aircraft and are made of 1/4″ Lexan. All interior brackets and rails are made of 1/8″ thick aluminum and all bolts and screws, including all skin screws, are stainless steel for lasting rust-proof longevity.
We can now reproduce this model for any future customer as a BareBones kit or fully complete RTA kit. Because of the windows and curves of the front and roof we have no plans to offer this as a DIY home built kit but if you do have access to a CnC facility we are open to discuss kit licensing in the same way we have done with the CS-2 Pegasus cockpit. Build time is approximately five weeks or 200 man hours.
- Ergonomic design based on a real Cessna Caravan cockpit with exacting dimensions to create a true to life scale.
- A new “function follows form” design which helps to keep total material costs as low as possible (~$1000).
- For potential DIY Builders – Must be cut via CnC Machining.
- Has
ability to use two 24″ displays for instrument panel and 3 overhead projectors for main visuals.
- Panel designed for central tactile radio stack with GPS.
- Designed
to be put close to projection wall for space constraints (front of “nose” within 3 feet)
- Can house an instrument panel from virtually any retailer.
- Designed
for two pilots to train together.
- Can install dual mechanical yokes.
- Can install dual mechanical rudders.
- Breaks down into modular sections.
- Easy
to relocate in home or office.
- Totally immersive
sim environment.
- Basic dimensions are 72″w x 72″l x65″h
- Intended to be elevated 4″ off floor.
CV-1 PURCHASE OPTIONS
CV-1 DIY
Plans Set $50.00 USD
CV-1 Bare Bones
Kit *$2,750.00 USD
CV-1 Completed RTA Kit *$5,880.00 USD
