The purpose of this chapter is to reveal the aspects of perception and action that are essential for simulating self motion in a virtual environment. While the discussion is couched in the particulars of flight simulation, it is emphasized that the design principles and strategies are not limited to flight simulation. To promote generality, self motion in real and virtual environments is discussed from the perspectives of ecological psychology and control theory.

A study was conducted to investigate new approaches in motion simulation. The study developed a conceptual model of pilot control of an aircraft. This model was subsequently used in a "need-based" analysis of motion cuing devices.

A multifaceted program of research and development was initiated at Wright-Patterson AFB in the 1980s to provide an unprecedented breadth of understanding of flight simulation. The resulting de-fragmentation of thought leadership from many sectors of the industry and across a wide variety of scientific disciplines was utilized in the design of a program specifically to address time delays in flight simulators.

This summary of relevant research is taken from reports produced for the U.S. Air Force and NASA during the 1990s as part of a multi-institutional and trans-disciplinary program of research to understand perception and control of motion that involves consequential changes in the velocity vector. The framework and associated taxonomy continues to be useful in expediting discovery of specific scientific research needed for expeditious problems solving in pilot training and simulator design.