Motion platform video game racing and flight simulator

A motion platform having two true degrees of freedom, the motion platform comprising:

• a base;
• a pillar, having an upper end, the pillar fixedly mounted to and extending from the base;
• a universal joint pivotally attached to the upper end of the pillar;
• a sled having a deck surface, the deck surface including an aperture;
• a stanchion, having an upper portion, the stanchion mounted to the deck surface of sled, the stanchion covering at least a portion of the aperture in the deck surface and extending above the deck surface of the sled;
• the universal joint, pivotally attached to the upper end of the pillar, is further attached to the upper portion of the stanchion.

A motion platform comprising;

• an upwardly extending pillar having an upper end;
• a universal joint attached to the upwardly extending pillar;
• a stanchion mounted to the universal joint attached to the pillar;
• a sled having a deck surface, the stanchion mounted to the sled and the stanchion extending above the deck surface of the sled.

A method of enhancing performance of a motion-generating device, the device having a base, an upstanding column carried on the base and a sled supported on the column, the sled for accommodating an occupant, the method of enhancing the performance of the motion-generating device comprising the acts of:

• locating a pivotal center of motion of the sled on the column above the base of the motion generating device;
• calculating the center of mass from the mass of the sled and the mass of an exemplar occupant accommodated on the sled;
• locating the position of the calculated center of mass;
• mounting the sled at the pivotal center of motion on the column such that the center of mass of the combined sled and exemplar occupant is within a one inch radius from the pivotal center of motion of the motion generating device.