The Wright Flyer Model B Simulator
Bihrle
showed the power of simulation to both entertain and educate at the
Experimental Aviation Association's (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh 2001, the
49th annual gathering for EAA, held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Visitors
to The Wright Experience display in the 'Countdown to Kitty Hawk' pavilion
had a first-hand opportunity to try out the Wright Model B Flight Simulator,
an authentic representation of the Wright Brothers' first production
aircraft. Bihrle integrated the replica cockpit, produced by the Wright
Experience crew, with its D-Six simulation environment. D-Six hosted
the math model, which Bihrle engineers generated using computation aerodynamics
tools and historical data. D-Six also handled communication with cockpit
hardware and with MetaVR's VRSG visual display generator.
The
work was done in support of Ken Hyde, aircraft restorer, historian,
and president of the nonprofit The Wright Experience whom the EAA has
contracted to recreate the 1903 Flyer for events and exhibits celebrating
the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first powered flight.
The Wright Experience is building an exact replica of the first production
airplane, the Wright Model B, and the first airplane, the 1903 Wright
Flyer. The simulation was very well received; over 600 people flew the
Wright Model Flight Simulator at AirVenture Oshkosh 2001 and thousands
watched others fly. The simulator excelled in it mission to generate
interest in the on-going work of the Wright Experience team and in the
work of The Wright Brothers.
The Wright Model B simulator was featured in Sport Aviation Magazine and Aviation Week and Space Technology Magazine.
Sport Aviation Oct. 2001:Air Venture, page 44
Aviation Week and Space Technology 13 Aug. 2001 : Exhibit Immerses Visitors in Wright Brothers' World, page 50
www.wrightexperience.com
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