GB2487369A

GB2487369A - Simulator apparatus for parachute training

Info

Publication number: GB2487369A
Application number: GB1100806.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Philip Patten; Scot Richard Jones
Original assignee: MAELSTROM VIRTUAL PRODUCTIONS Ltd
Current assignee: MAELSTROM VIRTUAL PRODUCTIONS Ltd
Priority date: 2011-01-18
Filing date: 2011-01-18
Publication date: 2012-07-25
Anticipated expiration: 2031-01-18
Also published as: GB201100806D0; GB2487369B

Abstract

Simulator apparatus 1 that is suitable for parachute training includes a support frame 2 and a suspension frame 6 that is connected to the support frame (e.g. by a universal joint) and movable relative to it. User support means may take the form of a conventional parachute body harness connected to the suspension frame 6 to allow a user to be freely suspended beneath the suspension frame. Actuator means, optionally in the form of mechanical, non-powered, cable/pulley sets, are selectively operable by the user when freely suspended beneath the suspension frame 6 by pulling on handles 16, 22. This causes the suspension frame to move relative to the support frame 2 and hence alter the position of the body of the user when freely suspended beneath it. The simulator may be combined with a virtual reality system.

Description

TITLE

Simulator apparatus

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a simulator apparatus, and in particular to a simulator apparatus that recreates the dynamic movement experienced by a user in response to control actions when the user is suspended in a body harness, e.g. when operating a parachute.

In this specification the terms "up", "upper", "lower", "above" and "beneath" are used with reference to the normal vertical attitude of the simulator apparatus. The terms "front", "back", "rear", "left", "right", "left-hand", "right-hand", "behind", "downwardly" are used with reference to the user of the simulator apparatus when suspended from the simulator apparatus in use. Thus, a reference to a right-hand part of the simulator apparatus means a part of the simulator apparatus that is to the right of the user when facing directly forwards.

Background Art

In a typical parachute system the canopy is connected to the upper end of four webbing straps or risers' by means of suspension lines. The body harness is connected to the lower end of the risers. Two sets of steering lines connect to the rear edge of the canopy on the left-and right-hand sides. These steering lines are controlled by pulling down on handles called toggles'. The toggles are normally stowed in elastic loops that are provided on the front risers. Pulling down on the left-hand toggle causes the back part of the left-hand side of the canopy to lower. This causes the left-hand side of the canopy to slow down and turn to the left. Pulling down on the right-hand toggle causes the canopy to turn to the right in the same way.

Pulling down on both the left-and right-hand toggles at the same time slows the whole canopy down and acts like a brake. This allows a parachutist to flare' to a stop during landing. The level of control that the steering lines provide rnakes extremely precise landings possible.

It is important to consider the movement of the parachutist during turns. When the parachutist pulls down on the left-hand toggle the back part of the left-hand side of the canopy will lower and the parachutist is inclined in a transverse plane (i.e. a plane that passes through the parachutist from left to right) with the right-hand risers being raised relative to the left-hand risers. When the parachutist pulls down on the right-hand toggle the back part of the right-hand side of the canopy will lower and the parachutist is inclined in the transverse plane with the left-hand risers being raised relative to the right-hand risers. In other words when a toggle is pulled down the upper body of the parachutist is inclined towards the direction of turn. During a flare' or brake' when both toggles arc pulled down at the same time then the parachutist experiences being drawn backwards.

Parachute training involving real jumps is expensive and can be dangerous for beginners. There is therefore a need for a simulator or training apparatus which can recreate the dynamic movement associated with the control of a real canopy. Such a simulator apparatus may have both civilian and military training applications. It may also used for entertainment or gaming.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a mechanical, non-powered, simulator apparatus comprising: a support frame; a suspension frame connected to the support frame and movable relative to the support frame; user support means connected to the suspension frame which allows a user to be freely suspended beneath the suspension frame; and actuator means that are selectively operable by the user when freely suspended beneath the suspension frame to cause the suspension frame to move relative to the support frame and hence alter the position of the body of the user when freely suspended beneath it.

The support frame is preferably substantially rigid and forms the basic framework for the simulator apparatus. The support frame may include an overhead structure from which the suspension frame is suspended and legs or other mounting structures for mounting the overhead structure securely on the ground or optionally in a way that allows the support frame itself to undergo rotational and/or translational movement relative to the ground.

The suspension frame is substantially rigid and may include a mounting part that is connected to the support frame, optionally by means of a universal joint, and a frame part to which the user support means is connected.

The user support means may take the form of a parachute body harness with webbed straps or risers' attached to the suspension frame for an accurate feel. The suspension frame is not intended to be moved or inclined by pulling on the risers only by using the actuator means, although limited movement of the suspension frame may be possible if the user makes significant adjustments to their body weight when suspended beneath the suspension frame. The user support means may be able to suspend the user in a prone position as well as a vertical position to recreate skydiving before the canopy is deployed. For example, the user may be temporarily suspended in the prone position beneath the suspension frame (e.g. by connecting a lower part of the body harness to the suspension frame or the support frame) and then released to assume a vertical position where the suspension frame can be moved relative to the support frame by the actuator means to simulate tuming of the deployed canopy.

The actuator means may include a first handle (or toggle') positioned on a left-hand side of the user support means, the first handle being selectively operable by a left hand of the user when freely suspended beneath the suspension frame such that pulling down on the first handle inclines the suspension frame relative to the support frame, and a second handle (or toggle') positioned on a right-hand side of the user support means, the second handle being selectively operable by a right hand of the user when freely suspended beneath the suspension frame such that pulling down on the second handle inclines the suspension frame relative to the support frame. Pulling down on the first handle preferably causes the suspension frame to be inclined such that a right-hand part of the suspension frame is raised above a left-hand part of the suspension frame and pulling down on the second handle preferably causes the suspension frame to be inclined such that a left-hand part of the suspension frame is raised above a right-hand part of the suspension frame. This movement of the suspension frame causes the body of the user to tilt in the correct manner to recreate the dynamic movement associated with the control of a real canopy where the upper body of the parachutist is inclined towards the direction of turn. More particularly, when the first handle is pulled then the upper body of the user is tilted towards the left and when the second handle is pulled then the upper body of the user is tilted towards the right. The tilting of the user is typically in a transverse plane, i.e. in a plane that passes through the user from left to right. However, the user may also experience some slight tilting in a longitudinal plane, i.e. in a plane that passes through the user from front to back.

If the first and second handles are pulled at the same time to simulate flaring' then a rear part of the suspension frame is preferably raised relative to a front part. This movement of the suspension frame causes the body of the user to tilt in the correct manner to recreate the dynamic movement associated with the control of a real canopy during flaring' where the parachutist experiences being drawn backwards.

The upper body of the user is inclined slightly forwards in the longitudinal plane.

The actuator means may include cable/pulley sets connected to the suspension frame.

In the specific arrangement described above then the first handle may be connected to a right-hand part of the suspension frame by a first cable/pulley set in such a way that pulling down on the first handle raises the right-hand part of the suspension frame and the second handle may be connected to a left-hand part of the suspension frame by a second cable/pulley set in such a way that pulling down on the second handle raises the left-hand part of the suspension frame.

The cables may be connected to the suspension frame (e.g. to mounting points provided on the suspension frame) slightly behind the transverse centre line of the suspension frame so that the rear part of the suspension is raised relative to a front part when the first and second handles are pulled at the same time to simulate flaring'. Other mounting points may also be used.

The first and second cable/pulley sets represent an entirely mechanical, non-powered actuator arrangement that closely recreate the feel of conventional parachute toggles and steering lines. The first and second cable/pulley sets may be configured to provide mechanical advantage to at least partly offset the weight of the user, e.g. by the addition of fiddle blocks or double pulley blocks. Such an actuator means will typically require less force from the user to move the suspension frame relative to the support frame.

The pulleys may be mounted to the various parts of the support frame and/or the suspension frame. Typically the cables cross over within the support frame either above or behind the user. The cables extend from the actuator means (e.g. one end of each cable may be connected to a respective handle or toggle) to mounting points on the suspension frame. The suspension frame may include guide means for the cables so that the first and second handles are correctly located at the side of the user when suspended in the harness beneath the suspension frame.

The simulator apparatus may further include a virtual reality (VR) system comprising display means for displaying virtual reality images to the user, wherein the virtual reality images are responsive to movement of the suspension frame and/or the user.

For training purposes the virtual reality images that are displayed to the user are preferably designed to recreate what the user would see if they were suspended beneath a real canopy, i.e. the computer-simulated environment is as close as possible to the real world. If the actuator means are used to turn the canopy then this will control the virtual reality images that are displayed to the user so that the user appears to move through the computer-simulated environment. Movement of the user's body may also be used to control the virtual reality images.

Several simulator apparatus may be used with the same virtual reality system which may be implemented by a single processor or by separate processors (e.g. one for each simulator apparatus) that are networked together and synchronised to display the same computer-simulated environment to the users. The simulator apparatus need not be at the same physical location as long as suitable networking is provided. The virtual reality images that are displayed to one user may include images of the users of the other simulator apparatus and the virtual reality images will reflect their movements within the same computer-simulated environment. This allows more than one user to be trained together at the same time within the same computer-simulated environment and to take account of the movements of other users, e.g. for coordinated actions such as group parachute jumps which may be important for military applications or for multi-player gaming.

The display means may be provided in the form of a headset (or head mounted display (HMD)) that is wom by the user, or a display screen. The virtual reality images that are displayed to the user will be provided by a suitable processor (or processors) that forms part of the virtual reality system and which controls the computer-simulated environment that is experienced by the user.

The virtual reality system may include sensors (e.g. motion or tracking sensors) to monitor the movement of the suspension frame and/or the user for the purpose of controlling the virtual reality images that arc displayed to the user. Data from the sensors can be transmitted to the virtual reality system for processing using either wired or wireless means.

Sensors can be used to sense accurate movement of the actuator means. For example, sensors can be attached to the hands of the user that operate the actuator means or to the actuator means (e.g. the handles or toggles') themselves. Sensors can be used to determine relative movement or inclination of the suspension frame relative to the support frame. Sensors can be attached to other parts of the user or to the user support means, e.g. sensors on the user's head or any HMD headset can be used to determine the direction in which the user is looking and control the virtual reality images accordingly.

The addition of the virtual reality system allows advanced training to be carried out.

For example, the virtual reality system may allow the user to experience a variety of emergency situations and monitor how they react to them, e.g. whether an emergency or reserve canopy is deployed quickly enough when the main canopy has failed to deploy, the failure to deploy being communicated to the user through the virtual display images, or to practice landing in a target area. The user support means may include further actuator means that would normally be present in a conventional parachute body harness, e.g. a ripcord, a cut-away' handle that would be used to release the main canopy, or a handle that would manually deploy the reserve canopy.

Sensors can be provided to monitor these further actuator means and the virtual reality system can be responsive to the use of the further actuator means. Pulling the ripcord can also facilitate the movement of the user from prone position to a vertical position, i.e. by releasing any means that is temporarily maintaining the user in the prone position, after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed to simulate the deployment of the canopy.

The virtual reality system allows the simulator apparatus to be used for entertainment or gaming, e.g. by allowing the user to move through a computer-simulated or virtual environment in response to their use of the actuator means while experiencing the dynamic movement associated with the control of a real canopy, or to simulate a parachute landing.

Drawings Figure 1 is a front schematic view of a parachute training apparatus according to the present invention with a first cable/pulley set arrangement; Figure 2 is a front schematic view of the parachute training apparatus with only one cable/pulley set shown for purposes of clarity and where the forces acting on the suspension frame when the associated handle is pulled are labelled; Figure 3 is a front schematic view of a parachute training apparatus according to the present invention with a second cable/pulley set arrangement that provides mechanical advantage; Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the parachute training apparatus of Figure 1 in an initial position; Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the parachute training apparatus of Figure 1 in an inclined position simulating a turn to the left where the left-hand handle (or toggle') is pulled by a user; Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the parachute training apparatus of Figure 1 in an inclined position simulating a turn to the right when the right-hand handle (or toggle') is pulled by a user; Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the parachute training apparatus of Figure 1 in an inclined position simulating flaring' when the left-and right-hand handles are pulled by a user; and Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing a virtual reality system that can be used with the parachute training apparatus.

With reference to the drawings, a parachute training apparatus 1 includes a rigid outer support frame 2 with an overhead structure 4. A suspension frame 6 is connected to the overhead structure 4 by means of a universal joint 8.

The suspension frame includes a mounting part 6a and a rectangular frame part 6b.

A parachute body harness (not shown) includes webbed straps 10 or risers' which are connected to the frame part 6b of the suspension frame as shown in Figures 4 to 7. In a conventional parachute system the risers are used to connect the body harness to the canopy by means of suspension lines.

When a user (represented in Figures 4 to 7 by the feature labelled U) is properly secured within the body harness they are suspended freely beneath the suspension frame 6 with their feet raised a suitable distance above the ground.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a first cable/pulley set includes a cable 12 and a series of pulleys 14a-14d that are mounted to the support frame 2. One end of the cable 12 is connected to a first handle or toggle' 16 that hangs on the left-hand side of the user when the user is properly secured within the body harness. The other end of the cable 12 is connected to a right-hand side of the outer frame 6b of the suspension frame, typically at a position that is behind the transverse centre line CL (Figure 7) of the suspension frame, i.e. the centre line which runs from left to right of the suspension frame when viewed from the front. A second cable/pulley set, which is omitted from Figure 2 for clarity, includes a cable 18 and a series of pulleys 20a- 20d that are similarly mounted to the support frame 2. One end of the cable 18 is connected to a second handle or toggle' 22 that hangs on the right-hand side of the user when the user is properly secured within the body harness. The other end of the cable 18 is connected to a left-hand side of the outer frame 6b of the suspension frame, typically at a position that is behind the transverse centre line of the suspension frame.

When the handles 16, 22 are in their initial positions then the suspension frame 6b is preferably substantially horizontal as shown in Figure 4. The cables 12, 18 can pass through guide means (not shown) provided on the outer frame 6b of the suspension frame to keep the handles 16, 22 in their initial positions next to the user.

The pulleys 14a-14d of the first cable/pulley set are arranged such that pulling the first handle 16 downwards causes the right-hand side of the outer frame 6b of the suspension frame to rise (i.e. the final pulley 14d is positioned above the suspension frame). The left-hand side of the outer frame 6b will fall and the suspension frame is therefore inclined relative to the support frame 2 as shown iii Figure 5. This simulates a turn to the left and the force that is applied by the user to the first handle 16 is transferred by the first cable/pulley set to the opposite side of the suspension frame 6b which results in the user moving in the appropriate manner to accurately simulate the movement that would be experienced by the user if they were suspended beneath a real canopy being controlled by the steering lines, i.e. the upper body of the user is tilted towards the direction of the turn.

-10 -Similarly, the pulleys 20a-20d of the second cable/pulley set are arranged such that pulling the second handle 22 downwards causes the left-hand side of the outer frame 6b of the suspension frame to rise (i.e. the final pulley 22d is positioned above the suspension frame). The right-hand side of the outer frame 6b will fall and the suspension frame is therefore inclined relative to the support frame 2 as shown in Figure 6. This simulates a turn to the right and the force that is applied by the user to the second handle 22 is transferred by the first cable/pulley set to the opposite side of the suspension frame which results in the user moving in the appropriate manner to accurately simulate the movement that would be experienced by the user if they were suspended beneath a real canopy being controlled by the steering lines.

Pulling the first and second handles 16, 22 together causes the rear side of the outer frame 6b of the suspension frame to rise. The front side of the outer frame 6b will fall and the suspension frame is therefore inclined relative to the support frame 2 as shown in Figure 7. This simulates flaring' or braking' and the force that is applied by the user to the first and second handles 16, 22 is transferred by the first and second cable/pulley sets to the suspension frame 6 which results in the user moving in the appropriate manner to accurately simulate the movement that would be experienced by the user if they were suspended beneath a real canopy being controlled by the steering lines.

It will be readily appreciated that pulling one of the first and second handles 16, 2 causes the user to tilt in a transverse plane, i.e. a plane that extends substantially through the user from left to right. Pulling both of the first and second handles 16, 22 causes the user to tilt in a longitudinal plane, i.e. a plane that extends substantially through the user from back to front.

Releasing the handle (or handles) allows the suspension frame 6 to return to its normal horizontal position. The handles 16, 22 will return to their initial positions next to the user.

The first and second cable/pulley sets can be configured to provide mechanical advantage to offset the weight of the user as shown in Figure 3. More particularly, in this arrangement the first and second cable/pulley sets include a fiddle set with a pair of fiddle blocks with beckets 24a, 24b and a block set with a pair of double blocks with beckets 26a, 26b. Single block pulleys 28 are provided on the suspension frame and the support frame. It will be readily appreciated that different cable/pulley arrangements may be used in practice.

With reference to Figure 8, the parachute training apparatus 1 would typically be used with a virtual reality system with a processor unit 30 and a display means (either a headset or head mounted display (HMD) 32) that is worn by the user, or a display screen) on which virtual reality images of a computer-simulated environment are shown to the user. As discussed in more detail above, the virtual reality images are preferably responsive to movement of the suspension frame 6, the handles 16, 22 and/or the user so that the user appears to be controlling the parachute within the computer-simulated environment that is being displayed and can respond to certain training exercises and scenarios generated by the virtual reality system. The movement of the suspension frame 6, the handles 16, 22 and/or the user may be monitored by suitable sensors 34 which provide movement data to the processor unit 30 for controlling the computer-simulated environment. The combination of the computer-simulated environment and the dynamic movement of the user provided by the parachute training apparatus 1 provides an extremely realistic training experience that allows the user to improve their abilities without the need to make real jumps.

Several parachute training apparatus ii, 12. .. 1 are shown connected to the same virtual reality processor unit 30. The processor unit 30 receives movement data fioni the sensors 34k, 342.. .34 associated with each parachute training apparatus. The display means 32k, 322.. .32 display virtual reality images provided by the processor and which reflect the movement of all users within the same computer-simulated environment. In practice, the processor unit 30 may be a single computer processor or a network of computer processors. In one arrangement each parachute training apparatus 11, 12... lfl may have its own dedicated computer processor connected to the -12-respective display means 32k, 322.. .34k and sensors 34k, 342.. .34g. The individual computer processors are then networked together to define the processor unit 30. If a suitable networking connection is provided then the parachute training apparatus ii, 12. .. in can be at physically different locations.

Claims

-13 -CLAIMS1. A simulator apparatus comprising: a support frame; a suspension frame connected to the support frame and movable relative to the support frame; user support means connected to the suspension frame which allows a user to be freely suspended beneath the suspension frame; and actuator means that are selectively operable by the user when freely suspended beneath the suspension frame to cause the suspension frame to move relative to the support frame and hence alter the position of the body of the user when freely suspended beneath it.
2. A simulator apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the suspension frame is connected to the support frame by a universal joint.
3. A simulator apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the user support means is a parachute harness with straps attached to the suspension frame.
4. A simulator apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the user support means further comprises means for freely suspending the user in a prone position beneath the suspension frame.
5. A simulator apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the actuator means includes a first handle positioned on a left-hand side of the user support means, the first handle being selectively operable by a left hand of the user when freely suspended beneath the suspension frame such that pulling down on the first handle inclines the suspension frame relative to the support frame, and a second handle positioned on a right-hand side of the user support means, the second handle being selectively operable by a right hand of the user when freely suspended beneath the suspension frame such that pulling down on the second handle inclines the suspension frame relative to the support frame. -14-
6. A simulator apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the actuator means is configured such that pulling down on the first handle to simulate a turn to the left causes the suspension frame to be inclined such that a right-hand part of the suspension frame is raised higher than a left-hand part of the suspension frame and pulling down on the second handle to simulate a turn to the right causes the suspension frame to be inclined such that a left-hand part of the suspension frame is raised higher than a right-hand part of the suspension frame.
7. A simulator apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the actuator means is configured such that pulling the first and second handles at the same time to simulate flaring' causes a rear part of the suspension frame to be raised relative to a front part.
8. A simulator apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the actuator means includes cable/pulley sets connected to the suspension frame for moving the suspension frame relative to the support frame.
9. A simulator apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the actuator means includes cable/pulley sets connected to the suspension frame for moving the suspension frame relative to the support frame, the first handle being connected to a right-hand part of the suspension frame by a first cable/pulley set such that pulling down on the first handle raises the right-hand part of the suspension frame and the second handle being connected to a left-hand part of the suspension frame by a second cable/pulley set such that pulling down on the second handle raises the left-hand part of the suspension frame.
10. A simulator apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cables of the cable/pulley sets are connected to the suspension frame slightly behind the transverse centre line of the suspension frame so that the rear part of the suspension is raised relative to a front part when the first and second handles are pulled at the same time to simulate flaring'.

-15 -
11. A simulator apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the cable/pulley sets provide mechanical advantage.
12. A simulator apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 11, wherein the pulleys of the cable/pulley sets are mounted to the support frame.
13. A simulator apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the cables of the cable/pulley sets cross over within the support frame either above or behind the user when suspended in the user support means beneath the suspension frame.
14. A simulator apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the suspension frame includes guide means for the cables of the cable/pulley sets so that the first and second handles are correctly located at the side of the user when suspended in the user support means beneath the suspension frame.
15. A simulator apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the actuator means is an entirely mechanical, non-powered actuator arrangement.
16. A simulator apparatus according to any preceding claim, fUrther comprising a virtual reality system comprising display means for displaying virtual reality images to the user.
17. A simulator apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the virtual reality images are responsive to movement of the suspension frame and/or the user.
18. A siniulator apparatus according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the display means is a headset (or head mounted display (HMD)) that is worn by the user, or a display screen.
19. A simulator apparatus according to any of claims 16 to 18, wherein the virtual reality system includes sensors to monitor the movement of the suspension frame -16 -and/or the user and/or the actuator means for the purpose of controlling the virtual reality images that are displayed to the user.
20. A simulator apparatus substantially as described herein and with reference to the drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: cLAIMS 1. A simulator apparatus comprising: a support frame; a suspension frame connected to the support frame and movable relative to the support frame; user support means connected to the suspension frame which allows a user to be freely suspended beneath the suspension frame; actuator means that are selectively operable by the user when freely suspended beneath the suspension frame to cause the suspension frame to move relative to the support frame and hence alter the position of the body of the user when freely suspended beneath it; and a virtual reality system comprising display means for displaying virtual reality images to the user; and wherein the virtual reality system includes sensors to monitor the movement of the suspension frame and/or the user and/or the actuator means for the purposes of controlling the virtual reality images that are displayed to the user.2. A simulator apparatus according to claim I, wherein the suspension frame is connected to the support frame by a universal joint.3. A simulator apparatus according to claim I or claim 2, wherein the user support means is a parachute harness with straps attached to the suspension frame.4. A simulator apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the user support means further comprises means for freely suspending the user in a prone position beneath the suspension frame.* 5. A simulator apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the actuator means includes a first handle positioned on a left-hand side of the user support means, ***..* * 30 the first handle being selectively operable by a left hand of the user when freely suspended beneath the suspension frame such that pulling down on the first handle inclines the suspension frame relative to the support frame, and a second handle *** *** * * positioned on a right-hand side of the user support means, the second handle being selectively operable by a right hand of the user when freely suspended beneath the suspension frame such that pulling down on the second handle inclines the suspension frame relative to the support frame.6. A simulator apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the actuator means is configured such that pulling down on the first handle to simulate a turn to the left causes the suspension frame to be inclined such that a right-hand part of the suspension frame is raised higher than a left-hand part of the suspension frame and pulling down on the second handle to simulate a turn to the right causes the suspension frame to be inclined such that a left-hand part of the suspension frame is raised higher than a right-hand part of the suspension frame.7. A simulator apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the actuator means is configured such that pulling the first and second handles at the same time to simulate flaring' causes a rear part of the suspension frame to be raised relative to a front part.8. A simulator apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the actuator means includes cable/pulley sets connected to the suspension frame for moving the suspension frame relative to the support frame.9. A simulator apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the actuator means includes cable/pulley sets connected to the suspension frame for moving the suspension frame relative to the support frame, the first handle being connected to a right-hand part of the suspension frame by a first cable/pulley set such that pulling down on the first handle raises the right-hand part of the suspension frame and the * *0 second handle being connected to a left-hand part of the suspension frame by a second * * cable/pulley set such that pulling down on the second handle raises the left-hand part of the suspension frame. * ** * S * ***S 000.* 0 010. A simulator apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cables of the cable/pulley sets are connected to the suspension frame slightly behind the transverse centre line of the suspension frame so that the rear part of the suspension is raised relative to a front part when the first and second handles are pulled at the same time to simulate flaring'.11. A simulator apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the cable/pulley sets provide mechanical advantage.12. A simulator apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 11, wherein the pulleys of the cable/pulley sets are mounted to the support frame.13. A simulator apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the cables of the cable/pulley sets cross over within the support frame either above or behind the user when suspended in the user support means beneath the suspension frame.14. A simulator apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the suspension frame includes guide means for the cables of the cable/pulley sets so that the first and second handles are correctly located at the side of the user when suspended in the user support means beneath the suspension frame.15. A simulator apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the actuator means is an entirely mechanical, non-powered actuator arrangement.16. A simulator apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the display means is a headset (or head mounted display (MMD)) that is worn by the user, or a U. * display screen. * S* 17. A plurality of simulator apparatus, each apparatus comprising: a support *** t.* 30 frame, a suspension frame connected to the support frame and movable relative to the support frame, user support means connected to the suspension frame which allows a : * : user to be freely suspended beneath the suspension frame, and actuator means that areI*ISIUI * I selectively operable by the user when freely suspended beneath the suspension frame to cause the suspension frame to move relative to the support frame and hence alter the position of the body of the user when freely suspended beneath it; and a virtual reality system comprising display means for displaying virtual reality images to the user of each simulator apparatus allowing the users to train together at the same time within the same computer-simulated environment; and wherein the virtual reality system includes sensors to monitor the movement of the suspension frame and/or the user and/or the actuator means of each simulator apparatus for the purposes of controlling the virtual reality images that are displayed to the users of the simulator apparatus within the same computer-simulated environment.18. A plurality of simulator apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the virtual reality system is implemented by a single processor.19. A plurality of simulator apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the virtual reality system is implemented by a separate processor for each simulator apparatus, the processors being networked together and synchronised to display the same computer-simulated environment to each user.20. A simulator apparatus substantially as described herein and with reference to the drawings. 0* * * S* * **S * SS*** S** S * * SS * S S 5.55 * 5.005 S 5