Flight simulator employing an actual aircraft

• US 5,616,030 A
• Filed: 06/01/1994
• Issued: 04/01/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bruce L. Watson
• Original Assignee: Bruce L. Watson
• Inventors: Watson, Bruce L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US08/252,464
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 434/29, 434/30, 434/32, 434/33, 434/35, 434/37, 434/38, 434/45, 434/50, 434/51
• US Class Current: 434/38
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/08 for teaching control of aircraft, e.g. Link trainer
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/16 Ambient or aircraft conditions simulated or indicated by instrument or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/44 providing simulation in a real aircraft flying through the atmosphere without restriction of its path

Abstract

A flight simulator kit which includes at least a simulated flight attitude control member, the simulated flight attitude control member being capable of mimicking the movements of an actual aircraft flight attitude control member. A visual display system is also provided for receiving input signals and in response thereto visually display a video simulation of a plurality of simulated aircraft flight instruments mimicking the movements and responses of actual aircraft flight instruments. The kit further includes a computer for receiving the output signals from the simulated control system and in response thereto for providing the input signals to the visual display system. The kit may be used to set up a simulator in an actual aircraft not in flight.

Claims

1. A flight simulator system comprising

an actual aircraft not in flight;

a simulated aircraft cockpit control system disposed in said aircraft, said simulated aircraft control system comprising one or more simulated moveable cockpit control members, each simulated moveable cockpit control member being capable of mimicking the movements of an actual aircraft control member, said simulated aircraft control system being capable of providing output control signals indicative of operation of said simulated moveable cockpit control members, said simulated moveable cockpit control members including at least a simulated aircraft flight attitude control member, said simulated flight attitude control member being capable of mimicking the movements of an actual aircraft flight attitude control member;

a visual display system for receiving input signals and in response thereto visually display a video simulation of a plurality of simulated aircraft flight instruments mimicking the movements and responses of actual aircraft instruments;

and

a computer for receiving said output signals from said simulated control system and in response thereto for providing said input signals to said visual display system.

2. A flight simulator system as defined in claim 1, wherein said simulated moveable cockpit control members include a simulated moveable throttle control member, said simulated throttle control member being capable of mimicking the movements of an actual aircraft throttle control member.

3. A flight simulator system as defined in claim 1, wherein said simulated moveable cockpit control members include a simulated moveable trim member, said simulated trim member being capable of mimicking the movements of an actual aircraft trim member.

4. A flight simulator system as defined in claim 1 wherein said simulated control system is removeably installed in said aircraft.