Improvements relating to a method of and apparatus for instructing in aeronautical theory and practice and testing the performance of an aerial vehicle

摘要

353,719. Teaching and training aviators. CURTISS-WRIGHT FLYING SERVICE, Inc., 27, West 57th Street, New York, U.S.A.-(Assignees of Gerhardt, W. F. ; Box 147, Grosse Ile, and Brock, C. A. ; 1545, Glyn Court, Detroit, both in Michigan, U.S.A.) Aug. 9, 1930, No. 23911. Convention date, Dec. 13, 1929. [Class 4.] For demonstrating the principles of stability and for training pilots, a model aeroplane is universally supported on a counterbalanced mast in front of a blast of air and its controls are manipulated by connections to a full size control column and rudder bar. The controls are centred by rubber blocks so that the resistance to displacement of normal controls is simulated and the pupil can feel the air blast on his face and control the intensity of the blast by a third lever. The model is balanced with freedom to move about the three principal axes of rotation upon a mast 12 which is supported by arms 37, 38 on a pillar 42, Fig. 2, forming a parallel motion and carrying weights 44, 45 for counterbalancing the weight of the mast &c. The three controls of the model are connected by cords passing through the mast to bell-crank levers at its lower end which are connected by links, parallel to the arms 37, 38, to other bell-crank levers pivoted beneath the pivots of the arms 37, 38 and connected by linkwork to a rudder bar 22 and a control lever 21. A lever 19, Fig. 1, controls a resistance 16 of an electromotor driving a fan in a tunnel 13 which has a hollow cone 161, Fig. 9, and outlet tubes 164 for reducing eddies. The mast passes through a collar 137 which can slide in a fore and aft direction on a table 24 and a clamping screw enables the mast to be locked against vertical movement when required. Motion of the model about any of the three principal axes can be prevented if required and a lug-ring on the mast may be adjusted to set limits to the yawing movement. The planes of the model are hinged to enable the dihedral angle to be adjusted and the tail plane is adjustable in incidence. The universal mounting is secured to the model by screws so that different models with different characteristics may be mounted on it.