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Pilot Training

The term Sub Sea Aviators is used to draw the necessary distinction between conventional submersible pilots, and pilots of various diver operated craft (even nuclear submarines, that are also flown but are not relevant to the birth of Sub Sea Aviation).

Pilot Licensing

Upon successful completion of the three-day course, the Sub Sea Aviation School will be licensing a limited number of pilots to fly the Deep Flight Super Falcon.  The license will enable the pilot to fly the Deep Flight Super Falcon as "crew", and with the accumulation of additional flight experience (log time to be determined), the crew restriction will be removed.

Training for the Deep Flight submersibles will be fundamentally different from conventional submersible piloting skills. The primary differences are:
  • Control and instrumentation. The Deep Flight winged submersibles are literally flown (maneuvered) in a fixed (safe), positively buoyant state with aircraft type controls via winged surfaces for pitch, roll and heading so that the craft is fully operable through all three rotational axis through inverted flight and vertical ascent and descent.

    In contrast, conventional submersibles are much slower and fixed in two axis (pitch and roll) by pendulum stability. Depth is principally controlled by variable buoyancy or drop weights, and maneuvering is accomplished by vectored thrust.

    Hence the Deep Flight winged submersibles uniquely introduce the freedom of flight underwater, requiring active pilot control of a much faster, more responsive craft. Primary flight instrumentation includes an artificial horizon electronically displayed on a HUD (heads-up display).

  • Operational Responsibilities. Conventional submersible operation is generally conducted from a mother ship positioned over the dive site. Conventional submersibles have a sufficiently restricted operational footprint such that navigation remains local (within the acoustic tracking cone of the mother ship). Therefore, the dives are typically managed by surface control. Traditionally, operations are conducted with the dive supervisor remaining topside.

    The Deep Flight winged submersible operational speed, range and ability to operate from a shore base means that responsibilities are more like flight operations. The pilot in command of the submersible will assume full responsibility for safe operation of the craft, including long range navigation, as well as a more independent capability for self-rescue.

  • Licensing.  We are currently planning our next school for 2008. We have approximately 8 slots for new pilots. Enrollment has already begun. Please click on enroll or contact Karen Hawkes at info@deepflight.com.

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