Inside Brooklands Museum’s Concorde Simulator The Last Functional Training Device From The Supersonic Era

Inside Brooklands Museum's Concorde Simulator The Last Functional Training Device From The Supersonic Era - British Airways Last Concorde Training Device Now Powers Up Daily at Brooklands

British Airways' last Concorde training simulator is now running daily at Brooklands, a tangible reminder of supersonic travel. Previously a crucial part of the airline's pilot training program, this machine has been adjusted from its original hydraulic platform to a static set-up but continues to provide a simulation of take-off from New York to cruising speeds of Mach 2. Visitors can interact with the simulator and hear tales from former pilots and crew which adds to the history of the iconic aircraft. Brooklands Museum includes Concorde experiences and technical tours which enhances the importance of this ground breaking era of aviation.

The simulator at Brooklands stands as one of the few remaining relics of the supersonic age, a notable engineering achievement from its time. It wasn't just a tool for pilot instruction, it also replicated the very specific handling of the real Concorde.

This aircraft famously reached speeds beyond 1,350 miles an hour, effectively cutting transatlantic travel time in half compared to standard airliners. It’s speed was pushed by its four Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 engines, each blasting out 38,050 pounds of force.

The machine uses advanced systems, incorporating both analog and digital tech, showcasing the shift from purely mechanical simulation to computerized methods.

Current high-tech simulators have multiple screens and virtual environments, while the Concorde simulator reflects a classic cockpit setup with actual, tangible controls. It gives a physical experience for learning, that's now much less common in contemporary sims.

Training on this Concorde simulator was intense, pilots did not only practice the routines but also prepared for emergency situations, specific to high-speed supersonic flights.

Getting the simulator running again is no minor feat of engineering, it works as a historical piece and also provides education for enthusiasts and engineers, proof that good engineering remains useful even years later.

Concorde's last flight was over two decades ago, which makes the Brooklands simulator all the more important. It offers a direct connection to a history of aviation technology, preserving methods that could have disappeared.

Concorde used materials like titanium and composites, selected for their capacity to withstand the heat generated during supersonic flight. This technical details reflect the innovations of its time.

Flight simulators like the one at Brooklands play a crucial role in pilot training, studies indicate that 80% of training happens in a simulator, greatly reducing the risk of real world in-air training.

Concorde is an iconic element in aviation, not only for its design but also for the engineering hurdles it overcame, like noise regulations that resulted in features such as its distinctive droop nose. This technical history is on display at Brooklands.

What else is in this post?

1. Inside Brooklands Museum's Concorde Simulator The Last Functional Training Device From The Supersonic Era - British Airways Last Concorde Training Device Now Powers Up Daily at Brooklands
2. Inside Brooklands Museum's Concorde Simulator The Last Functional Training Device From The Supersonic Era - Five Flight Controls That Made Concorde Different From Any Other Plane
3. Inside Brooklands Museum's Concorde Simulator The Last Functional Training Device From The Supersonic Era - What The Motion Platform Can Do To Recreate Supersonic Flight
4. Inside Brooklands Museum's Concorde Simulator The Last Functional Training Device From The Supersonic Era - Filton To Brooklands The Journey of A Historic Flight Simulator
5. Inside Brooklands Museum's Concorde Simulator The Last Functional Training Device From The Supersonic Era - Learn The Same Takeoff Sequence British Airways Pilots Trained With
6. Inside Brooklands Museum's Concorde Simulator The Last Functional Training Device From The Supersonic Era - Walk Through The Original Aerospatiale BAC Maintenance Manual

Inside Brooklands Museum's Concorde Simulator The Last Functional Training Device From The Supersonic Era - Five Flight Controls That Made Concorde Different From Any Other Plane

Concorde's flight control system was truly distinct. Instead of standard ailerons and elevators, it used six elevons for pitch and roll and just two rudders for yaw. This unique setup eliminated the need for a conventional tailplane. Instead the elevons were merged into the trailing edge of its delta wing which enhanced aerodynamics. The cockpit, designed for three crew members, emphasized the sophisticated avionics needed to handle the complexities of the aircraft which resulted in an unusually tight working environment. Moreover, Concorde relied on advanced afterburners and a very complicated fuel management system, both essential for its iconic transatlantic flights at super-high speeds. The engineering innovations seen in the Concorde continue to influence new aviation developments today, which just goes to show its long-term importance.

Concorde was an unusual bird, differing significantly from other planes due to its unconventional flight control systems. The inclusion of canard wings, positioned ahead of the main wings, was a notable departure from typical designs. These forewings greatly enhanced stability, especially at the very high speeds the aircraft was designed for. Concorde also used an advanced fly-by-wire system, replacing mechanical controls with electronic signals, thereby enhancing maneuverability and easing the workload for the pilots. This was especially vital for precise operations at supersonic velocities.

The Olympus engines of the Concorde had unique thrust capabilities that were modified in flight which is something you dont typically see with regular commercial airliners. This was key for managing engine performance, particularly during takeoff and landing phases, where sudden power shifts were sometimes required. Additionally, its automated trim systems played a key role in maintaining stability, especially at speeds above Mach 2 where aerodynamic pressures differ wildly from subsonic operations. This meant less manual adjustment was needed, another task reduced in a complex cockpit.

Then there was the instantly recognizable droop nose, but this was not just for looks, it was designed to optimize the view during critical phases like takeoff and landing. By dropping the nose section, pilots had improved visibility forward when maneuvering close to the ground which is vital given the very high ground speeds of this plane. Moreover, Concorde's flaps were configured to remain fixed in certain phases of the flight, reducing drag, while maintaining the lift required for super-fast travel. This approach differs drastically from standard aircraft.

The incorporation of reserve control surfaces acted as a backup, should primary systems fail. This redundancy shows how critical safety was to the entire supersonic program particularly at its high speeds where the margin of error was much smaller. The construction of the flight controls itself, involved materials designed to cope with the high temperatures generated at supersonic speed demonstrating innovative engineering. Furthermore, the flight control systems of Concorde were designed around the realities of transonic aerodynamic forces, a necessary deviation from typical aircraft designs which included more advanced and detailed analysis than had been previously undertaken. Pilots needed extensive training on these peculiar traits of this plane and the training sim at Brooklands highlights the complexity of systems and what a challenge flying this plane was.

Inside Brooklands Museum's Concorde Simulator The Last Functional Training Device From The Supersonic Era - What The Motion Platform Can Do To Recreate Supersonic Flight

The motion platform in the Concorde simulator at Brooklands Museum is key to giving users a realistic feel of supersonic travel. It uses precise movements to replicate the sensation of breaking the sound barrier, just like the Concorde did. This represents a big leap from old static simulators to experiences that more accurately reflect how an aircraft handles in the air. It shows an evolution in how these training devices work. With advancements in civilian supersonic flight still in progress, this simulator stands as an important historical tool, demonstrating the engineering feats of the past but also inspiring ideas for the next generation of quieter and more fuel-efficient supersonic aircraft. Overall, it underlines the important role simulation technology plays both in training and as an educational tool, giving users an insight into this era.

The Brooklands Concorde simulator's motion platform aims to replicate the dramatic sensations of supersonic flight, not just gentle banking. Think about it, how else would trainee pilots get a feel for the jarring push during supersonic acceleration? The simulator's design attempts to capture those critical forces. It's interesting how the system adjusts the simulator's movements, almost like it's talking to the pilot based on real time data. It's not just about tilting the cockpit left and right; it's about conveying the physical push, the forces felt when this plane cuts through the air at Mach 2. It tries to reproduce the real-world experience.

The accuracy is impressive, you get the same cockpit layout in the simulator as the real thing, instrument panels, control placements; everything is there to help the pilots build the required muscle memory, allowing them to adapt their training to the real thing. It all makes the simulation feel as close to reality as possible. What a challenge must have been given the incredible speeds Concorde was flying. Something that needs to be addressed is that in supersonic flight the airframe heats up quite a bit. The simulator attempts to reflect this effect, not through heat but it replicates how pilots must cope with the consequences of these thermal stresses during their training. I find that attention to detail is an interesting engineering solution.

The hydraulic platform that moves the simulator is designed to mimic Concorde's own hydraulic control systems which were essential for control at very high speeds. Unlike some other modern simulators that tend to rely more on visuals, the Concorde sim incorporates physical feedback such as vibrations and resistances, adding to the experience. The use of materials similar to the original Concorde’s in its construction (well, at least an attempt to) is designed so pilots gain experience in understanding those very specific handling characteristics. Also interesting is that during supersonic flight, shockwaves become quite significant; the simulation helps the pilot understand this as well, allowing them to train on how to maintain stability when that happens.

Also significant is that Concorde flew much higher than most other planes - in the simulator they try to capture the altered physics of flying at 60,000 feet and what that means. Crucially pilots don't just learn the daily routes, they also practice specific emergency procedures and how to handle malfunctions at high speed, including the failure of an engine. You can’t practice that safely any other way but in a simulator, which does explain why a simulator like this is such a vital engineering device.

Inside Brooklands Museum's Concorde Simulator The Last Functional Training Device From The Supersonic Era - Filton To Brooklands The Journey of A Historic Flight Simulator

Initially stationed at Filton in Bristol, at the British Aircraft Corporation’s training center, this Concorde simulator has made a significant trip to its current spot at Brooklands Museum, mirroring the aircraft’s own legendary journey. Built back in 1974 for £3 million, this device has gone beyond its pilot training origins and is now a significant historical piece of engineering. When British Airways stopped using the Concorde in 2003, they donated this simulator to Brooklands, and it’s now seen as the last working training device from the supersonic age. People can now experience what it might have felt like to pilot this famous aircraft. Although operational for visitor experiences, some of the original functions remain as computer model simulations and not as fully working components. The whole story of the simulator captures the romance of aviation’s past as well as highlighting the changes in flight training, in a world which continues to embrace tech and speed.

The Concorde simulator’s journey to Brooklands began at the British Aircraft Corporation in Filton, Bristol. It wasn't a quick move, this immense training device was carefully relocated after British Airways ended Concorde operations in 2003, finding its new home at the museum as the last functioning supersonic era training device. Originally constructed by British Airways in 1974, with a hefty price tag of £3 million, that simulator began training pilots in March 1976, preparing them to fly this unique plane, before its current role as an important historical artifact. It seems remarkable how such an expensive piece of technology was moved from a training environment into a museum context, it seems like a good example of preserving engineering history.

The Brooklands Museum now offers "Concorde Experiences" using the same equipment that trained its pilots. The experience allows attendees to take the controls, under the guidance of former Concorde pilots, in a Gold package for two hours, and a shorter, Silver package. The destinations available seem like they are limited to just four fully rendered airports in the simulation, though the simulator is capable of “flying” out of many more. A bit of a shame that only a few have proper visuals, one wonders why the development effort was not allocated across a broader set of simulated routes. One can also visit Concorde G-BBDG, the first British-made Concorde and compare the real aircraft and this simulation, one a complex machine, the other a complex simulation of a complex machine.

Concorde pilots operated at around 60,000 feet, meaning they were dealing with very different air densities and extreme temperature fluctuations. These weren't the typical subsonic conditions pilots were accustomed to, it required a very different set of skills to fly. The aerodynamics of supersonic flight produced unusual phenomenon like shock collar zones and drag divergence. These things created turbulence that other aircraft don’t see at lower speeds. The Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus engines, each had afterburners as well as a unique fuel management system; pilots could adjust performance while in flight, a feature that doesn't really feature in other commercial aircraft. Flying a Concorde was hard work, pilots reported about a 30% workload increase over other commercial aviation, due to the complex controls and fuel management procedures.

Concorde’s design emphasized redundancy, multiple controls, back-ups, built to handle the most demanding conditions, underlining the focus on safety. These complex systems were really necessary when considering just how quickly things could go wrong at those incredibly high speeds. The hydraulic system at Brooklands is interesting as it replicates the original system on the aircraft. It allows precise feedback and adds to the realism, its a core element in the Concorde's unusual handling training. The Concorde's metal frame got really hot in operation due to friction, reaching temperatures up to 300°C, and the simulation seeks to train pilots to manage it. One must wonder how much the simulated temperature difference is compared to the actual metal temperature? The cockpit has been kept as it was during Concorde service which represents a particular kind of challenge when compared to modern simulators.

Interestingly the training provided by Brooklands also includes emergency procedures for engine failure at supersonic speed, using unique recovery techniques developed for Concorde. Such things would be difficult to learn outside a simulator, demonstrating the value of this device. The legacy of the engineering used in Concorde can still be seen in modern designs. Elements like the way it deals with high-altitude flights and its efforts at fuel efficiency show up, in various iterations, in newer aircraft which is an important contribution to technology innovation, particularly in areas such as supersonic flight that are being pushed for again after years of inactivity.

Inside Brooklands Museum's Concorde Simulator The Last Functional Training Device From The Supersonic Era - Learn The Same Takeoff Sequence British Airways Pilots Trained With

At Brooklands Museum, you can now try the very same takeoff sequence that British Airways pilots used to train on, inside the last operational Concorde simulator from the supersonic age. With former Concorde crew guiding you, you'll get to grips with what this iconic aircraft was all about. While learning the practical challenges of high-speed flight, participants also get a feel for the technical prowess of the Concorde’s construction. Available are a few options for time in the sim, so it appeals to both complete newbies and seasoned aviation fans. It's a chance to see the excitement of supersonic flight, but also the absolutely critical role of simulators in training and keeping air travel safe.

The Concorde simulator at Brooklands allows visitors to experience the very same takeoff procedures that British Airways pilots used to train with. This involved a very precise balancing of thrust and weight unlike that of typical commercial aircraft. Achieving the required speeds for supersonic travel demanded the four Rolls Royce engines to work at their maximum, given the significant drag this airframe created at take off.

During operation, the Concorde had to comply with stringent noise regulations which determined much of its specific takeoff profiles. A unique approach called ‘flexible takeoff’ was developed, optimizing engine performance while keeping noise within allowed levels. At cruising altitude at around 60,000 feet, the handling became quite different, requiring a sharp awareness of how altered air pressure and temperature would effect aerodynamics which was far from what pilots were accustomed to from lower flying aircraft.

Also, the aircraft’s complicated fuel management systems adjusted automatically during flight, maintaining its center of gravity by transferring fuel between tanks, needed because of how Concorde’s fuel was distributed in different tanks to balance its weight, a task made more difficult by its unique shape. The simulation also needed to include the effects of shockwaves on its aerodynamic performance when flying at supersonic speed, giving the pilots a chance to train how to maintain stability.

Inside the Concorde, the cockpit was a tight workspace, designed for a three man crew, with closely placed controls. All that required pilots to learn to be extremely spatially aware, especially in stressful conditions. Moreover, the Concorde airframe dealt with extreme temperature swings up to 300°C, as a result of the aerodynamic heating during flight, pilots trained in the sim how to handle these thermal stress and to deal with any problems that resulted.

Engine failure scenarios specific to supersonic flight were included, given that this is not like flying a typical airliner, pilots needed specialist training that you could only really get in a simulator like the one at Brooklands. The Concorde’s flight control systems were unusual, incorporating advanced materials and mechanical features. The simulator aims to reproduce these nuances, allowing pilots to understand handling details and potential maintenance considerations, very important for an aircraft that pushed the boundaries as much as Concorde did.

Beyond mere training the Concorde, with its technical innovations, pushed the boundaries of aerospace engineering and still has a clear influence on the new generation of supersonic flight which means that Concorde contributed greatly to new tech and scientific research into supersonic flight that continue to this day and beyond that, simulations like at Brooklands maintain knowledge which would otherwise be lost over time.

Inside Brooklands Museum's Concorde Simulator The Last Functional Training Device From The Supersonic Era - Walk Through The Original Aerospatiale BAC Maintenance Manual

The original Aerospatiale/BAC maintenance manuals offer a deep dive into the intricate details of the Concorde's upkeep and operations. These documents are a goldmine for anyone interested in the specifics of how this engineering marvel was kept flying. The manuals provide exhaustive detail, especially on the Rolls-Royce/SNECMA Olympus 593 engines. This demonstrates the complex engineering required to keep the aircraft in peak condition and how those designs continue to influence modern aircraft. These readily accessible documents are a valuable resource for aviation enthusiasts, researchers and anyone keen to understand the Concorde's technical complexity. Examining these historical documents deepens our appreciation for the engineering legacy that this plane left behind.

The Aerospatiale/BAC Concorde Maintenance Manual reveals just how complicated the aircraft's engineering was. Detailed schematics and maintenance steps highlight the five interconnected hydraulic systems that powered everything from elevons to landing gear - any breakdown in these could cause a major issue. These systems presented constant maintenance challenges, requiring specialized skills.

The manual outlines specific protocols to manage the extreme heat caused by supersonic flight. Temperatures could hit 300°C, making the material choices vital to maintain the structural integrity and required constant inspection. This meant high strength titanium was a must and the manual goes into details of how that should be inspected and maintained.

Interestingly, the manuals go deep into emergency protocols. Procedures for dealing with engine failures at Mach 2 involved detailed knowledge of complex aerodynamics like vapor shock and their effects on control surfaces. This highlights the unusual risks that flying at these speeds produced and what that meant for training and maintenance requirements.

Then there was the fuel management system which was more complex than most aircraft. The manual makes it clear how critical the correct balancing of the fuel between tanks was, because the delta wing was more sensitive to weight distribution and the movement of fluids in flight had to be carefully considered to maintain safe flight.

Both the simulator and the maintenance manual show the importance of regular checks for unique control surfaces, like the droop nose and elevons. Engineers used custom-designed equipment to check for wear and tear, highlighting the level of precision required in day to day maintenance.

Revisions to the maintenance manuals were frequent, reflecting the continuous learning during flight operations. Pilots needed to understand how transonic drag worked, and what to do when that caused unexpected control problems. It showed just how challenging flying at this speed and with this technology really was.

The tight confines of the cockpit for the three-person crew meant ergonomics were paramount. The manual highlights efforts to ensure controls remained intuitive, especially during high-stress situations. A reminder of how important it is to make sure human and machine are designed to work together even in complex scenarios.

Maintenance schedules emphasized regular checks on the afterburners - a vital system for getting up to speed and maintaining it. Because these parts had to deal with extreme heat and pressure, their maintenance was critical to proper functioning. A real reminder of the level of effort that goes into every single flight.

Also notable were the manual's notes on how to maintain the aircraft's unique aerodynamic shapes that were critical for high-speed control. Engineers needed bespoke tools and techniques to tackle any problems that might come up such as structural wear or even tiny cracks that could cause issues.

Lastly, Concorde’s maintenance guides included how to check its composite materials, quite novel at the time of design. These parts needed special maintenance to ensure they could withstand the stresses at Mach 2. It marks an evolution in materials science that made supersonic flight possible.