Electronic Control Simulator: Description of the Simulator Used to Evaluate the Handling Characteristics of the de Havilland Trident Available to Purchase

ALMOST four years ago, experiments began at Hatfield to provide a simulator capable of evaluating the handling characteristics of the dc Havilland DH 121 Trident. The high subsonic cruising speed of the Trident, its three‐rcar‐mounted engine configuration and the large centre‐of‐gravity travel (to avoid passenger seating restrictions) presented special problems to the control and stability aspects of design. Although the basic problems of control in the Trident's speed range are generally understood, it is nevertheless difficult for the designer to achieve an entirely satisfactory degree of controllability in all flight conditions, and even more difficult, at the design stage, to ensure that ’feel' will be such that the aircraft is pleasant and easy to fly. 11 was decided therefore to produce an electronic flight simulator, which could provide information relevant to the Trident's handling characteristics, before the first aircraft made its maiden flight.