One of the world's great aviation engineering triumphs, Concorde came out of service in 2003, yet it remains one of the most popular flying machines ever made. With a huge following and still the subject of many comparisons, the British-designed aircraft is without match, more than four decades after its launch. At Brooklands museum the Concorde G-BBDG takes pride of place and is a major attraction. The flight simulator for this extraordinary aeroplane has been the focus of both visitor and educational interest, its refurbishment having involved engineering students as well as the experienced team of volunteers at the establishment.
Shipped from BAE's Airbus factory in 2004, the simulator was built in-situ and relied heavily on 1970s technology, with a mainframe computer, banks of racks and separate sections for the various components. Taking the cockpit sections, the team at Brooklands has restored the simulator using modern computers and components, reducing the overall size by remodelling and re-engineering much of the original equipment.
All of the original instrumentation drives and interfaces have now been replaced with new purpose-designed equipment and electronics. A USB data acquisition I/O box was acquired to link the controls and 'droop nose' drive and provide a signals interface to the computer. The system chosen for the task was a USB-1208LS from Measurement Computing, purchased from UK supplier, Adept Scientific. With eight channels and a 12-bit analogue input, the USB-1208LS specification not only matched the needs of the simulator but also represented good value for money. As Gordon Roxburgh, a long-standing volunteer engineer at Brooklands says:. “With reliability a key concern, we chose a name we could trust and the USB unit was a low-cost item that has proved very effective.”
This purchase was followed by a second Measurement Computing unit. The USB-3103 is a 16-bit voltage output module with eight channels, and this is used to drive the simulator's restored engine gauges. According to Mr Roxburgh, the team needed complete accuracy for this element of the simulator, so 16-bit resolution was deemed vital. “The module has given us exactly what we need without breaking the bank – very important for a charitable concern,” he remarks. The USB-3103 converts signals to a 10V output and includes a 32-bit event counter.
As well as being more than happy with the Measurement Computing DAQ modules, Mr Roxburgh pays tribute to UK distributor, Adept Scientific. He rates the Company's customer service as 'fantastic' and the staff as 'friendly and responsive'. “The people at Adept always go the extra mile to ensure that the information is on time and right.”
The three-year project was funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council in conjunction with the University of Surrey, as a Public Engagement Project, aiming to bring science and engineering topics to a wider public audience and engage with students. The launch of the restored simulator, earlier this year, was attended by Concorde's former Chief Pilot Mike Bannister and was officially inaugurated by Richard Noble, the former World Land Speed record holder.