The Concorde Simulator
Concorde Simulator History:
The two Concorde simulators were built at a cost of around £3 million each and entered service in 1975. One sim was designed and built by Redifon/Singer Link-Miles and was used by BA and based at Filton near Bristol. The other was designed and built by Le Materiel Telephonique (LMT) and was used by Air France and based at Charles de Gaulle airport near Paris. The sims stood on motion systems consisting of several large hydraulic rams. In its original form the view out of the BA sim's cockpit windows was generated from a small camera moving over a giant model landscape that was fixed to the wall in an adjacent room. The images from this camera were then projected onto large screens in front of the cockpit windows. By 1989 the sim had undergone a graphics engine makeover, at a further cost of £3 million, and which brought it in line with all the very best sims around the world. The upgrade included an intricate projection screen that gave pilots a 165° view of computer-generated images. The updates to the system also vastly increased the scope of the artifical landscape that it was possible to fly over. The original sim setup was limited to the areas and the single airport of the giant model, whereas the new system enabled pilots to 'fly' to many of the major airports around the world - all accurately computer generated!
To access the simulator it was necessary to climb a ladder and then walk across a retractable bridge. The large hydraulic rams that gave the sim its motion meant that the 'box' containing the cockpit and the projection screens stood about 15 feet in the air. Once inside the simulator cockpit pilots would immediately feel like they were on the flight deck of a real Concorde. The instrumentation, lighting and functionality of the systems closely mimicked their real-world counterparts. The simulator computers were operated by technicians who could program the system with artificial fuel and passenger loads, weather variations, determine whether it was day or night and also generate a myriad of system and hardware failures for the pilots to deal with. The technicians would also simulate Air Traffic Control. Every emergency procedure was practised to perfection. Single or double engine failure, pressurisation failure followed by emergency decent and failure of electrical signalling to the flying controls were typical examples of the sort of procedures learnt.
Pilots said that 'flying' the simulator was extraordinarily realistic. The response to control movement was extremely accurate, all the instruments behaved as they would in the real aircraft and pre-recorded ambient and system noises played through speakers inside the sim added an extra bit of authenticity. Added to all this was the motion system which enabled the pilots inside to experience the usual sensations of flight - accelerating, turning, climbing and descending. Despite its accuracy and realism though, the visual and motion systems on the Concorde simulator were not as advanced as today's more modern simulators and as such it was not 'zero-hour rated'. Zero-hour rated simulators allow converting pilots to go onto fly their first landing in the real aircraft while carrying passengers - albeit under the supervision of a highly experienced training Captain. Despite this, the Concorde simulator was still an extremely effective systems trainer. The simulator training course lasted a total of 76 hours - 19 4-hour sessions.
The Concorde Simulator at Brooklands:
When Concorde operations ceased at the end of 2003, British Airways decommissioned the Filton based simulator. It was then subsequently donated to Brooklands Museum to ultimately be displayed alongside Concorde Delta Golf and was transported to the museum in 2004. The plan was to get the simulator working again, albeit in a much simpler manner than when it was used by BA. When it was decommissioned the sim's motion system was scrapped so it is now only a static simulator.
The project to get the sim 'operational' again was a joint venture between the University of Surrey (UniS) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). It involved the integration of the existing simulator cockpit with Microsoft's 'Flight Simulator 2004' software. This was engineered by XPI Simulation Ltd, who are specialists in simulation software and hardware. The simulated environment is projected onto a large screen mounted in front of the cockpit windows and Concorde is 'flown' using many of the original flight controls and system controls inside the simulator. This includes the control columns, trim switches, rudder pedals, throttles, reheat switches, landing gear lever, parking brake and the nose and visor lever. The AFCS (Automatic Flight Control System - a.k.a. the autopilot) is also partially operational too. Along side all this many of the original cockpit instruments, such as the ADIs, ASIs, HSIs, primary engine instruments, pressure altimeters and radio altimeters, are also operational.
In January 2008 the simulator was moved into a newly refurbished room in a building next to Concorde Delta Golf and work got underway to get it operational. In June 2009 the simulator was officially opened to the public. During busy times at the museum (weekends, school holidays etc) the simulator is open for viewing only. When time allows, however, visitors will be able to sit in the rear of simulator behind the pilots seats and watch demonstration flight phases - a take-off from New York's JFK airport, the acceleration through the sound barrier and a night landing at Heathrow - all pre-recorded by an ex-British Airways Concorde flight crew. There is also narration provided by the flight crew during each phase to describe how Concorde was operated. Unlike Concorde Delta Golf, the simulator is accessible to wheelchair users.
Flying the Concorde Simulator:
Brooklands Museum is now offering a limited number of special 'At the Controls of Concorde Days' which can include up to 30 minutes actually flying the Concorde Simulator, plus a meal with a Concorde Captain and a visit to the real Concorde cockpit on G-BBDG. The following two special packages are available.
If you are interested in booking one of the packages, or have a question relating to a possible booking, please contact the museum directly on 01932 857381 ext. 237, or by email at flyconcorde@brooklandsmuseum.com.
Gold 'At The Controls' Package - £395 per person
Welcome Reception with a Concorde Captain in the Members’ Bar of the Brooklands Clubhouse
Briefing by the Concorde Captain in the private Ford Room
3-course Captain’s meal in the Ford Room with soft drinks, tea or coffee
The Concorde Experience Flight on G-BBDG
Over 2 hours on the Concorde Simulator with at least thirty minutes at the controls
Services of a former Concorde Captain
Concorde Simulator Certificate signed by your Captain
Click on the image to download a brochure detailing availability and booking information for the Gold Package.
Silver 'At The Controls' Package - £139 per person
Briefing by the Concorde Captain
The Concorde Experience Flight on Brooklands Concorde G-BBDG
Visit to the Flight deck of Concorde G-BBDG
One hour on the Concorde Simulator with 15 minutes at the controls
Services of a former Concorde Captain
Concorde Simulator Certificate signed by your Captain
Entrance to Brooklands Museum
Click on the image to download a brochure detailing availability and booking information for the Silver Package.
Please note that I have included the above details for information only and am personally unable to take bookings for the simulator experiences or offer advice on any booking related queries. Instead, please contact the museum directly using either of the contact methods mentioned above. Thanks.
Simulator Project Photos:
Simulator Project Videos:
Note: Clips 1 to 5 are hosted by YouTube
