Then and Now

The CF-105 simulator used by AVRO CANADA in 1958 consisted of a fixed base wooden fuselage section which contained the pilot and the weapons officer compartment in tandem. Instrumentation was operational for simulation requirements with some non-functioning switches and indicators. The flight instruments were operational and included a noise generator to simulate engine noise. Unlike many military and commercial simulators today, it did not provide any motion to simulate flight. The CF-105 simulator was used to validate the flight characteristics of the aircraft at altitude and weapons control systems. The state-of-the-art computers (in that day and age) were located in a 1600 square foot air-conditioned room. The simulator continued in use until the program was cancelled in February 1959.

Jan Zurakowski and Wladyslaw “Spud” Potocki in the Avro Arrow Simulator 1959

At the Avro Museum hangar at Springbank Airport, we have built our own simulator. Like its predecessor, it is also a fixed base wooden fuselage section. However, it does not have a seat for the weapons officer.

The Arrow II simulator is powered by five computers running X-PLANE, the most comprehensive and powerful flight simulator program for personal computers. Three large screens provide the pilot’s view of the surrounding landscape and airports. There is an auxiliary screen that can show various angle views of the Arrow II during the flight. It provides us with a very sophisticated state-of-the-art engineering tool as well as a flight simulator. The specifications of the Arrow II have been programed into the X-Plane program. This sophisticated professional software tool uses an aerodynamic model known as BLADE ELEMENT THEORY.

It has been used by private and commercial enterprises alike for aircraft design and testing as well as training of pilots. We are able to verify the performance of different engine types that may be selected for final installation in the Arrow II. Phases of flight such as take-off, cruise flight and landing along with critical system failures allows us to determine how the aircraft will perform in the real world. Based on the design parameters of the Arrow II and the functionality of our X-Plane Simulator program, we feel confident knowing the flight characteristics of the Arrow II prior to actual flight testing.

To date, the Avro Museum has invested close to $50,000 in the development of this simulator which is quite expensive to operate and is definitely NOT A TOY. Instrumentation for our flight simulator (under development) is functional for flight training and testing and provides a true to life experience of flying the Arrow II.

The simulator may be used by members whose membership is current and volunteers in the museum at no charge. Even so, their use will be supervised as there are real flight conditions and warnings that may be produced during a flight that require some response. Non-members who wish to use the simulator may do so for a nominal fee for a supervised 15 minute flight.

Currently, members and volunteers are encouraged to arrange for flight session times on Tuesdays when we gather for our construction nights on the Arrow II. The general public is welcome to book the simulator during an Open House and arrangements may be made for other times for large groups as needed.

It is our goal to promote the museum and our endeavors through open houses and various other venues along with donations help to provide the needed funding. We are a working museum with very sophisticated equipment such as our Arrow II simulator. We enthusiastically ask for your support with the understanding that the use of the simulator may be restrictive to some individuals. All funding raised is used solely for the activities of the Avro Museum and no volunteers receive any form of remuneration.