Link Trainer Project..

[John Hill]

Likely lads working on our Link Trainer replica!

[TheGreenAnger]

Likely lads working on our Link Trainer replica!

"A happy team, is an effective team!" (and sundry other anodyne codswallop from the book of Management Speak).

I take it you use the lash no more than is necessary for the improvement of morale John !

[Hydromet]

It'll never fly, it's heavier than air!

Wish I was there. I know less than nothing about electronics, but might have been able to help with the wood-butchery.

[John Hill]

Replica Link Trainer Project... John Hill, 13 September 2022

Our museum is building a fully functioning replica of a Link Trainer.

When completed this replica will enable us to offer our visitors a realistic recreation of the Link Trainer experience as undergone by almost all pilots Allied, German and many Japanese, who were trained during WWII and for several years after.

The Link Trainer has three axis movement with realistic instrument displays and can provide recreation of instrument flying conditions with the hood closed.

Our recreation is to be fully electronic with MS Flight Simulator at its heart.

We will be able to offer basic instrument flight experience and such novelties as an instrument approach using a ‘Four Leg Radio Range’. The Radio Range was the principal long distance radio navigation facility before the days of VOR and of course long before GPS. There was a Radio Range at Christchurch which was decommissioned mid-1950’s. Pilots in our Link replica will be able to locate Christchurch and make an instrument approach down to decision height and normally this would be the end of the exercise in a Link Trainer session however our replica will be able to display the airport and runways as viewed at decision height showing the student the success or otherwise of their approach. We hope also to be able to offer a plot showing the path of the flight and other details.

Our replica will require an ‘instructor’ in attendance for each flight.

The project so far has involved collection and acquisition of various mechanical components and beginnings of building the two principal components, the base and the simulated aircraft in which the student sits.

We have a:
A worm drive unit for the vertical (azimuth) axis,
Stepper motor, stepper driver and power supply for the vertical axis,
Two worm drive units for the bank and dive axis's,
Two stepper motors, stepper drivers and power supply for bank and dive axis’s.
Slip ring units as required for connecting power to the rotating components.
A vertical drive shaft complete with Hook’s (universal) universal and with end flanges.
A wheel for the control column.

We also have an A3 pen plotter unit to take the place of the table top plotter in the original unit.

We are taking advantage of the workshop facilities at the Menzshed to do the major construction work.

[TheGreenAnger]

Didn't you have a very interesting thread already running on this subject or has it been lost due to an act of gross negligence?

[John Hill]

Didn't you have a very interesting thread already running on this subject or has it been lost due to an act of gross negligence?

I have mentioned our Link flight simulator simulator a number of times but this is THE construction topic!

[TheGreenAnger]

Didn't you have a very interesting thread already running on this subject or has it been lost due to an act of gross negligence?

I have mentioned our Link flight simulator simulator a number of times but this is THE construction topic!

I stand corrected.

I was tempted to buy the 1930's/40's book you are using to ensure Link Trainer verisimilitude, but for once, even for me, a good angel appeared on my shoulder and warned me that such an anachronistic purchase might bring down upon my meagre shoulders and soul, the wrath of my better half who wages a constant war against my growing library of aviation memorabilia!

[John Hill]

I have a growing collection reference material etc but as long as I at least appear to be using it it will be safe in my corner of the lounge room.

[John Hill]

Research and development team explore the configuration of the Link pilot's control column..

[John Hill]

I guess that is not very exciting.....................

[TheGreenAnger]

I guess that is not very exciting.....................

It is, it is, we are not into instant gratification here...

[Boac]

I suspect we all picked up on the unbounded excitement on the face of the handling pilot, John

[John Hill]

Whatever, I think we have the elevator centering mechanism sussed.

[TheGreenAnger]

Whatever, I think we have the elevator centering mechanism sussed.

In what inertial frame!

[John Hill]

In what inertial frame!

With the control system at rest the elevator is in neutral position and the control column is vertical (more or less).

[TheGreenAnger]

In what inertial frame!

With the control system at rest the elevator is in neutral position and the control column is vertical (more or less).

You chaps are looking for sone serious verisimilitude it seems.

[John Hill]

Indeed we are.

Our ATR72 simulator, which we built with rather modest expectations, has paid for itself and is a steady earner including $$$ from budding aviators seeking advantage in their struggle for a 'real job'.

Maybe our Link replica will help some get their instrument rating. Of course being software driven we will be able to offer not just '4 leg radio range' but also NDB (yes, there are still some of those around) and more current navigation aids and procedures. RNAV is being proposed for our airport (sorry, aerodrome) so we would have to include that too, it is about now I leave this side of the project as it is moving outside my areas of expertise.

[John Hill]

They will know they are flying a real aeroplane when they take a-hold of that wheel!

[John Hill]

The base unit with the yaw gearbox (motor not fitted as yet) and the vertical axis along with two brackets where motors and gearboxes will be mounted to provide pitch and roll movement.

[John Hill]

I realize you all find this project absolutely riveting but don't get too anxious as I trust there will be more progress to be shown soon!