Abstract: An aircraft test system generates stimuli that emulate the stimuli received by an aircraft when in flight is disclosed. The aircraft test system includes a number of instruments for generating the number of processor-controllable instruments for generating stimuli received by an aircraft when in flight. The system also includes a number of instruments that monitor the response of the various aircraft components to the stimuli to which the aircraft is exposed. A processor in response to the output signal from the aircraft components directs the stimuli generating instruments to produce stimuli that emulate those received by the aircraft as it moves through the air. The system thus generates an initial set of stimuli similar to what an aircraft would be exposed to when in flight; monitors the response of the aircraft to the stimuli to which it is exposed; and, in response generates an updated set of stimuli to the aircraft.

Abstract: An aircraft gyro simulator is operable in a dynamic mode to produce simulated pitch, roll and azimuth signals as a function of control wheel commands, flight control system commands, control surface status and the stored equations of flight for the aircraft under test. In its manual mode, the simulator responds to manual control commands to individually vary pitch, roll or azimuth, thereby testing aircraft systems response. In addition, multiple channels of tracking gyro signals may be produced, with each channel having a manually controlled offset of one or more gyro signals to test aircraft employing multiple autopilot systems.