The All Ohio Balloon Fest will feature a virtual reality experience from the United States Air Force this weekend, August 8-10. People of all ages will be able to participate in a variety of challenges and simulations to learn what it’s like to be an Airman.
(Photo submitted)
––––
For the first time, the All Ohio Balloon Fest will feature a virtual reality experience from the United States Air Force.
A mock hangar will allow visitors to take on the role of an Air Force Crew Chief by exploring different challenges that would be experienced on an F-16 aircraft.
While solving various mechanical challenges, visitors will get a behind the scenes look at the technology and structures used by Airmen every day.
Features include an actual F-16 engine with an augmented reality experience, a cockpit avionics test and a tire change challenge.
Various activities use HoloLens technology, which features “mixed reality smartglasses” designed by Microsoft. Participants wearing the glasses will be able to see different challenges that mimic those experienced by an Airmen.
Other fabrication challenges use Kinect technology, which uses a camera to track the motions of individuals. Participants can then perform repairs that Air Force crew members would.
This technology will also allow visitors to experience what it’s like to be on the flight line, the area of an airfield where aircraft are onloaded and serviced. Here, motions like saluting the pilot are tracked and judged.
Participants will also be able to sit in an F-16 cockpit and explore the controls used to fly the aircraft.
Through each challenge and activity, participants to test their skill and see how well they could perform the job of an Airmen.
The experience will specifically focuses on “maintainer careers,” such as Aircraft Structural Maintenance and Cockpit Avionics.
Anyone may participate in the experience, but it will especially appeal to “the tech-tinkerer, mechanically inclined individual.”
The Air Force virtual reality experience will be at the All Ohio Balloon Fest this weekend, Aug. 8-10.