Sheppard suits up to help with virtual reality trainer Published Oct. 29, 2008 By 2nd Lt. Raeanna Elms 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- A group of researchers visited Sheppard Air Force Base Oct. 23 to collect information for a new, cutting-edge virtual training device to enhance aircraft maintenance training. Members of the 711th Human Performance Wing, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, the University of Pennsylvania, Northrop Grumman and Air Education and Training Command's Studies and Analysis Squadron collected maintenance data using a Moven inertial motion sensor suit. The $70,000 suit uses 19 wireless sensors that track motion and send data to a nearby computer, capturing the movement of the person wearing it. Staff Sgt. Daniel Olsen, an instructor in the 362nd Training Squadron for F-15 maintenance training, donned the motion capture suit and gathered "expert maintenance activities" of jacking and lowering an F-15 aircraft. Sergeant Olsen's movements were recorded and uploaded into the computer program to capture "instructor motion" for trainees to visualize and track. The 82nd Training Wing's training technology office goal is to integrate the data into a virtual training environment complete with an interactive coach. This "coach" will guide Airmen in Training through various maintenance scenarios, providing a virtual classroom for Airmen to attempt difficult and dangerous procedures in a safe environment. This project will provide virtual training for aircraft maintenance students, allowing alternative training arenas after-duty hours and prior to attempting on a physical aircraft. The goal of this software is to use interactive technology as a training method to aid in the retention of what is taught and application of the processes. The research team will return in January to measure, evaluate, and verify trainees' actions against an established computer model.