Development and Implementation of a Cost-Effective Cockpit Interface Architecture for Flight Simulation

High-fidelity flight simulation has the potential to reduce the cost and increase the safety of ab-initio, or introductory, flight training. However, many existing flight simulation training devices either lack fidelity or are completely unaffordable for smaller flight schools and flying clubs. This thesis details the development and implementation of several cost-effective technologies suitable for use in low-cost flight training devices. Using these technologies, an initially-obsolete and non-functional Cessna 172 flight training device by Vector Training Systems, Inc. (circa 2002) was reverse-engineered, redeveloped, modernized, and its functionality extended to create the Carleton University Redeveloped Vector Simulator (CURVS). Using modern microelectronics in the form of commercially-off-the-shelf hardware and software, this research showed that the potential exists for a new generation of high-fidelity yet cost-effective flight training devices to be created which are suitable for use by small flight training units.