Interactive Training

Jon learned and honed his interactive shooting skills working for FlightSafety, International’s Communications Systems Division. Before computer-based interactive systems were developed, FlightSafety International (FSI) developed what was probably the first truly interactive real-time video training systems in the world.

These FSI “Learning Carrels” were a marriage of a computer with a laser disc player, and they were placed in most of FSI’s learning centers based throughout the U.S., France and Canada.

The student would view a video from the laser disc player and then make on screen choices based on the scenario, and the laser disc player would instantly switch tracks to play out the effects of the student’s choice. It was truly real-time interactive video training.

FSI had a series of Cockpit Management videos that put pilots into unique situations that they had to overcome, with each choice having multiple potential outcomes. They also used their interactive training to familiarized pilots and maintenance personnel with control systems and equipment repairs on aircraft such as the F-16 Falcon and C-5 Galaxy.

Many companies asked for FSI to build learning carrels for their own training programs, and because FSI at that time had a monopoly, the carrels were sold for $10,000 each. Jon is not sure how many were ever sold.

In the late 1980’s computer authoring software was finally created to marry graphics, video and computer instruction, thus rendering FSI’s learning carrels obsolete and way overpriced.

After Leaving FSI, Jon went on to shoot interactive training programs for the U.S. Army’s missile defense and aviation units. He has also shot interactive content for the computer gaming industry.