Merlin Flight Simulation Group Install Ground Breaking New Simulation Laboratory

The simulators may be operated individually, or collectively within the same visual scene, and each having, in addition to other applications, Merlin’s editable flight dynamics application enabling the user to create simulations of novel and existing air vehicles.

Lt. Col. Judson Babcock, Aeronautics Laboratory Director, said:-

“The Department of Aeronautics will incorporate the engineering flight simulators into many aeronautical engineering courses such as Aircraft Stability & Control, Aircraft Feedback Control, and Aircraft Design. The simulators will allow cadets to experience the effects of aircraft design choices in real-time and full-motion. The simulators will also be incorporated into on-going and new research projects to investigate new UAV concepts and modifications to existing aircraft.”

The Academy are the launch customer for Merlin’s new dual seat, MP525 Academic Engineering Flight Simulators – which have electric active flight control systems for sidestick, centrestick, and pedals. The comprehensive instructor/operator station includes tracking task facilities, and realtime on screen data plotting.

All the simulators have the Diamond Visionics Corporation Genesis RTX visual graphics.

The common suite of Merlin applications installed on all the simulators includes GLStudio© based, touch operated cockpit instrumentation, and linking of user created Matlab© control systems simulations to the realtime simulation.

In summary, the Simulation Suite provides the US Air Force Academy with a comprehensive, unique, air vehicle flight simulation development facility, which will support the activities within the Academy from cadet to researcher.