GB540736A - Improvements in apparatus for training aircraft pilots - Google Patents

Abstract

540,736. Electrical apparatus for training air pilots. MOUNTAIN, J. D. April 26, 1940, No. 7505. Convention date, June 19, 1939. [Class 40 (i)] [Also in Group XXXIII] An apparatus for training pilots, comprising means for making a record upon a map or chart of the path of a simulated flight dependent upon the action taken by the pupil, has means for modifying the record in accordance with the effect which would be produced by a wind of any pre-determined strength and direction. In one form a chart carried by a table 26 is moved about under a fixed pencil 32 by motor driven rollers 24 which are orientated and controlled in speed dependent upon the actions of the pilot as in a known form of trainer. The rollers 24 run upon a platform comprising an endless belt 40 mounted on rollers one of which is driven by an electro-motor controlled by a rheostat at a speed proportional to the supposed wind. The direction of the wind is simulated by the initial placing of the table 26 upon the belt, the table having compass point markings. An indicator enables the instructor to observe the speed of the supposed wind. In another form the effect of the supposed wind and the movements of the trainer are combined electrically and the resultant ground track plotted. Two armatures 86, 88, Fig. 8, energized by direct current are mounted on a common spindle 90 driven by a synchronous motor 84. Alternating current is consequently generated in two stators 92, 94 mounted on platforms 96, 106, which can be oriented respectively by a device 100 responsive to changes in orientation of the dummy aircraft and by a gear 108 controlled by the instructor in accordance with the direction of the supposed wind. The outputs from the two stators are fed through variable resistances 144, 146 and leads 162, 164 to a stationary coil 115 which polarizes an armature 116, the resistances 144 and 146 proportioning the two currents to the supposed speed of the aeroplane and wind respectively. The armature 116 is mounted on a shaft 118 within two windings 124, 126, fed from the same mains as the motor 84, respectively through a resistance 136 and an inductance 138. The armature 116 consequently takes up a position which is the resultant of the phase angles of the outputs from the stators 92, 94 and this position is repeated by means of devices 76, 74 at a recorder 70 which moves over a fixed chart, the propelling motors 72 of the recorder being oriented by the device 74. The speed of the motors 72 is dependent on the voltage across the leads 162, 164 and a voltmeter 172 may indicate the ground speed in miles per hour. The devices 100, 72, 74 are similar to those described in U.S.A. Specification 2,038,059. A modification is described, Figs. 11 to 13 (not shown) in which the angular movements of the dummy aircraft are repeated at a device which combines mechanically the direction and speed of the aircraft with the direction and speed of the wind, the resultant being transmitted by an electrical device similar to the device 72 to a recorder moving over a chart the speed of movement being controlled by a rheostat also actuated by the mechanical device.