LESS-SSG TornadoSim Updates

[Mictheslik]

As mentioned in another thread, I'm helping to run a new group within the University of Liverpool that aims to further students' understanding of flight simulation. The Student Simulator Group is part of the Liverpool Engineering Student Society and this thread is intended to provide some progress updates on our initial project.

The Sim

Our starting point is a fixed base mock up of a Panavia Tornado built by BAe systems a long time in the past.



It was used for cockpit layout development for the Tornado and was originally destined to be sent to the middle east as a simulator. However, the deal fell through and it was retained and used for development work on the Eurofighter Typhoon cockpit.



This explains the positioning of the three screens that were installed a while ago. However, as it's completely modular the layout can be changed very easily. The final design for cockpit layout is yet to be determined.

We already have many of the basic parts that we need, and most of the work will be integrating them into our sim packages and programming control in/out responses. The intention is that the sim will be used by undergraduate students doing project work for them to test a flight model or instrument etc. without having to book time in one of our full motion simulators.

The seat used will be a mock up of a Martin baker ejector seat that also came from BAe.



The history of the main control column we have is a bit of a mystery, but after a bit of research I believe it is a development stick for the EAP/Typhoon.



The first job was to remove all the external panels, and one side of the cockpit in order to move it from the room it's currently in to one more accessible in our workshop. Unfortunately, our workshop is on the third floor of a large building, so we also had to remove any loose/valuable objects to prepare it for being lifted up using the crane.



The above (badly stitched) panorama is how the 'pit currently looks. Hopefully the move will take place next week and we can start working on it properly

We'll be running a blog as a facebook page so that our 40+ members can tell the world what they've been doing, and when I get the link for that I'll post it here (it'll have a few more photos)

.mic

[JBaymore]

[size=24]  WOW!

[Jared]

excellent photos! Will be keeping tabs on this project!

[Mictheslik]

The pit went flying today as we lifted her to the third floor of our lab building. After our members have been health and safety cleared it now mean we can get on with the initial physical work, and start the programming tasks....

She flies!



The crane operation



Bringing her in




Today's team




We now have a facebook blog going that has a few more photos and more write up. It can be found at:

www.facebook.com/LiverpoolTornado

.mic

[JBaymore]

It flies!  It flies!   ;)

best,

..............john

[Mictheslik]

A small update (unfortunately without photos as I didn't have my camera with me today)

After a couple of months trying to get things organised (not easy when you're dealing with students who need to do work in their free time!) we're finally working regularly on the sim.

Today's main task was to label the spaghetti of wires that come out of the control column. After an hour of fiddling with a cheap multimeter, we remembered that we had one of these for the build....also perfect for testing which wires do what!

http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php ... cts_id=180

After lots of cutting, stripping and clipping we've identified all but two of the buttons' wires, including the secondary and tertiary systems for the critical functions such as trimmer and weapons release switches There's still a couple more cable runs to test though.

Screens were removed and measured with a new bezel designed for them. It was decided that they will be mounted vertically and be surrounded by multifunction keys much like in the real aircraft.

The seat mounting and position was explored. We're not sure on the angle that the seat needs to be mounted, as the pedals aren't in yet, but a bracket has been designed for the rear plate to bolt the seat to (the current seat base is hinged at one end)

A mount for the pedals has been designed and is currently being manufactured, so they might be in in the next few weeks!

Finally, the department managed to find us an old HUD unit (minus the CRT display), but all the mirrors and lenses are there. After a bit of experimenting with an iPad we decided a bright CRT would be the only option for the HUD display. If anyone's got any ideas we welcome them (will get a picture of the unit up this week)

It's nice to have finally got started!

.mic

[Romflyer]

Screens were removed and measured with a new bezel designed for them. It was decided that they will be mounted vertically and be surrounded by multifunction keys much like in the real aircraft.

I would suggest you look into a TM cougar pack
http://www.thrustmaster.com/products/mfd-cougar-pack
I think they are under a $100 for the pair, they would sit right over those MFD screens and with minimal effort you have those displays looking good and functioning.