Sensory Motor Apparatus Test (SMA)

The SMA tests your ability to keep a drifting red dot aligned with a fixed central crosshair using a joystick for vertical control and two foot pedals for lateral control, applied simultaneously and in real time.

The Interface

The screen shows a red dot and a crosshair fixed at the centre of the display. Two physical inputs govern the dot's position: a joystick mounted centrally and two foot pedals positioned at floor level. The joystick controls vertical movement. The pedals control lateral movement.

Worked Example

The red dot drifts upward and to the right. You see: vertical displacement above the crosshair, horizontal displacement to the right. You infer: the joystick must move the dot down, and the right pedal must move the dot left. You push the joystick away from you and push the left pedal forward. The dot returns toward centre. Both inputs run at the same time; neither waits for the other to complete.

Behavior of the Dot

The red dot drifts continuously without pause. It does not hold position between your corrections; it moves while you are already responding to a previous drift. Your corrections must anticipate this overlap. When you apply an input, the drift continues until the dot crosses the crosshair.

Joystick: Condition and Action

When the dot rises above the crosshair, push the joystick away from you; the dot moves down. When the dot falls below the crosshair, pull the joystick toward you; the dot moves up. The relationship is direct: input direction mirrors the correction you need.

Foot Pedals: Condition and Action

The foot pedals do not activate by pressing downward. They activate by pushing forward from the ankle. Similar to aircraft rudder pedals, pressure is applied horizontally, not vertically. When the dot drifts left, push the right pedal forward; the dot moves right. When the dot drifts right, push the left pedal forward; the dot moves left. The further forward you push, the greater the lateral correction applied. Scan. Identify axis. Input.

Reading the mechanics is passive; passing requires active cognitive endurance. The simultaneous dual-axis correction this test demands can only be perfected through physical practice. You will need a dedicated Joystick and Foot Pedals for this test’s preparation. Access the training simulator in the Air Defence Academy's CBAT/MACTs module to prepare for the SMA..

Start the Simulator, or move to the next guide: Situational Awareness Test (SAT)