Aircraft training apparatus for visual landing approach

摘要

961,794. Training aircrew. CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION. Oct. 5, 1962 [Oct. 19, 1961], No. 37858/62. Heading B7W. Apparatus for simulating an aircraft night landing approach comprises a simulated landing field having apertures representing an array of approach and landing lights and illuminated from a light source, and optical pick-up and projecting means presenting the display to a trainee, the landing field and pick-up being relatively movable in accordance with simulated aircraft attitude. Fig. 1 shows a simulated landing strip L having landing lights 1 and approach lights 2, which may shine steadily or flash in sequence to give the impression of a light moving towards the runway. A television camera 3 is moved relative to L by servos controlled by a flight computer responsive to movements of the dummy controls in a mock cockpit T. A television projector 3b is focused on a screen 5 in front of the trainee. A fluorescent tube (not shown) extends the length of the strip L on its underside, and simulated landing lights 1 are provided by transparent plastic inserts extending through the strip. Each insert has a conical recess in its top, so that light passing up through the insert is reflected at a low angle to the plane of the strip. Each approach light 2 is simulated by an aperture 12 in a cover strip 16, overlying an opening 17 in panel 4, Fig. 2. Each aperture 12 is normally covered by a shutter 11 mounted on a lever 10 pivoted on axis 10a. The other end of each lever forms a cam co-operating with a roller 9b on a cam arm 9 secured to shaft 7, the set of rollers 9b lying on a helix coaxial with shaft 7. Each shutter has a row of small apertures, so that rows of approach lights are simulated. To simulate the flashing light sequence, shaft 7 is rotated by motor 5, the cam arms 9 displacing the levers 10 in sequence going towards the runway, to uncover apertures 12 in sequence. When the flashing light sequence is to be stopped, a cam on shaft 7 operates a microswitch to ensure that motor 5 is de-energized and a solenoidcontrolled brake is applied to the shaft, only when the angular position of the shaft is such as to leave all apertures 12 shuttered. A mirror is mounted above each aperture 12 to direct the light towards the camera. Light baffles prevent light from each aperture from reaching the camera other than by such reflection.