INNOVATING FLIGHT SIMULATION ONE INSTRUMENT AT A TIME
Simivate Report
Cockpit Instrumentation
ABOUT
We are a group of four like minded student engineers working together with an interest in the aviation industry. As part of our Masters year we were tasked with designing, building and testing the use of physical flight instruments within a flight simulator - specifically a real glider cockpit. However, complications with COVID-19 meant that lab access was limited. Therefore, to complete this project, the functionality of physical instruments was proven on a desktop format through integration with X-Plane. That is to say that physical instruments were built and tested in an array situated on top of a desk. Our project investigated not only the accessibility of realistic flight simulation but also the effect of fidelity on flight simulation user experience. We are based in Glasgow and operated from the University of Strathclyde.
RORY
Complex Servo Instrument Lead
"My previous studies and interest in aviation made working on this project an exciting prospect"
JAMES
Team Leader and Electrical Lead
"With previous microcontroller experience, being the electrical component lead was an amazing opportunity"
SIMON
Stepper Motor Instrument Lead
"This project was perfect for giving me the freedom to combine my past experience in CAD modelling and gliding"
ALASTAIR
Simple Servo Instrument Lead
"Working on a wingless glider was a weird experience but offered a great insight into industry innovation"
OUR TEAM
All Videos
PROCESS
2020
Year Established
52
Total number of Wires
156
Total number of instrument components
6
Completed Instruments
PROJECT UPDATES
Servo Pluggin Shield
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24/02/21
A new microcontroller 'shield' has been installed. It alters the output characteristics of the arduino that drives the servos so that they revolve around a 'plug in' concept as oppose to multiple free jumper wires. This makes the setup cleaner and more robust.
Round 2 Prototyping
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08/03/21
Both the heading indicator and airspeed indicator have been tested and their functionality confirmed using the stepper motors and IR sensors. Some alterations need to be made such as colour and sensor position.
Final Build Part 1
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17/03/21
The initial stages of the build have started and the final instrument designs are coming together. Both the artificial horizon and heading indicator have ben fully function tested and verified!
Electrical Circuit Phase 1
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08/12/20
Preliminary circuit design is complete. This incorporates the main master microcontroller and the servo 'slave' board. Servos are now operational and functionality has been verified.
Instrument Housing Design
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10/12/20
The first computer aided designs of the instrument housings have been generated. Models are based on current industry standards and will e altered and updated as needed.
Electrical Circuit Phase 2
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12/01/21
Further development of the electrical circuitry: stepper motors have been incorporated into the design. These run off of specific driver boards and currently utilise a prototype breadboard for ease of testing and use.
Round 1 Prototyping
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17/02/21
The first round of instrument housing prototyping is complete. Physical prototypes were tested and verified with improvements now added to overall designs ready for round 2. We are awaiting manufacture.
Electrical Reconfiguration
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20/02/21
A more finalised version of the electrical circuitry has been developed. It utilises a solder breadboard with soldered wiring connections as opposed to jumper lead connections. The resulting circuit is more robust and less prone to wires becoming disconnected. Functionality has been verified.
Infrared Sensor and Encoder
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22/02/21
A barometer setting encoder has been added and tested. This allows this user to adjust the altimeter depending on region pressure. Two infrared sensors have also been added. These are required for positional awareness of the stepper motors.
Final Build Part 2
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20/03/21
The remaining instruments have been integrated into the circuit and a full and complete array is finally in place. This is the first time that all of the instruments have been together! Further tweaking has been required during the build phase so that sensors etc are fully operational.
Testing and Verification
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21/03/21
Testing and verification has been carried out with fairly successful results. The array of instrument seems functional on the whole. A full document containing all results and tests will be available in the project report.
Report Complete
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28/03/21
The full and complete write up is now complete and available for download. The report describes and documents the full project process from start to finish and outlines key aspects in depth. Group reflection is considered as well as further work and recommendations for improvement.
MEDIA
CONTACT
Inquiries
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Contact Us
Head Office
75 Montrose St,
Glasgow G1 1XJ
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