An entirely mechanical VOR instruction device suitable for use in training pilots and student pilots in the use of VOR equipment is disclosed. An OBS control knob through a first mechanical linkage controls a course selector dial, a to/from indicator, and a right/left indicator. In addition, an aircraft position simulator arm, through a second mechanical linkage, controls the to/from indicator and the right/left indicator. In operation, after the device is initially set up, movement of the aircraft position simulator arm causes movement of the to/from indicator and the right/left indicator to provide a true representation of the changes that would occur to related indicators of an actual VOR receiver mounted in an aircraft moving in the same radial manner as the aircraft position simulator arm is moved. In addition, the OBS control knob can be rotated to provide an indication of what effects such rotation has on the to/from indicator and the right/left indicator to correct for aircraft movement.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 316,473, filed Dec. 19, 1972, now abandoned, by Lonnie D. McClung for "VOR Simulator".
A navigation training device for use with any pilot training text on radio navigation, the device has a visual representation of three actual aircraft instruments with movable parts to simulate the actual related readings on the instruments. A set of instructions are provided to instruct the student in the operation of the training device.
A hand-held movable airplane model is equipped on an outer face with an outer rotatable donut shaped disc and an inner stationary black circular disc. The outer disc, having compass markings, is rotated by turning a simulated OBS knob to simulate a course card. Indicator needles and flags on the stationary inner disc simulate V.O.R. and Gliode Slope indicators as they would actually appear on an airplane in similar positions and orientations to those of the model as the model is moved over a vertical surface simulating a flight pattern. All needles and flags on the model rotate on pivot pins through the inner disc. Tabs on the underside of each needle and flag are positioned beneath an elasticised band with a high friction surface. The band stretched around the periphery of the inner disc hold all of the needles and flags in place as they are oriented by hand.
An aviation training aid to facilitate the learning of instrument flying techniques. The device simulates problems encountered in flight when navigating by reference to a nondirectional beacon (NDB) and flying an NDB instrument landing approach. The device includes a model airplane with two functional instruments: an automatic direction finder relative bearing indicator and a compass. The model airplane is manually moved on a special table which has an inclined top and a permanent magnet concealed beneath the top. The relative bearing indicator is activated by magnetic attraction for the concealed magnet. The compass is activated non-magnetically by a weight attached to the edge of the compass card, in conjunction with the tilted attitude of the model which is caused by the inclination of the table top.
