Model aircraft flight simulation apparatus

Abstract

A model aircraft flight simulation apparatus for simulating the flying of model aircraft in a controlled environment. The model aircraft flight simulation apparatus includes a sectioned housing having an elongate chamber with open ends, and an enclosure with an interior. Fan members create airflow through the chamber, while tethering assemblies extend and retract tether lines along a length of the chamber. A control member controls the fan members and the tethering assemblies. Remote-controlled model aircraft for flying in the chamber are coupled to the tether lines, and includes a flight control system. Handheld transmitters control the control member and the aircraft flight control systems. The aircraft are biased into a flight mode by the fan members and are controlled by each of the transmitter members. The user can vary air velocity within the chamber and the proximity of the aircraft to the fan members to alter flight conditions, along with the flight characteristics of the aircraft.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A model aircraft flight simulation apparatus for flying model aircraft in a controlled environment for the purpose of pleasure, flight training, and conducting a variety of airflow tests, said simulation apparatus comprising: 
 a housing having a first section and a second section, said first section comprising an elongate chamber having open ends, said second section comprising an enclosure having an interior;    a pair of fan members for creating airflow through said first section of said housing;    a pair of tethering assemblies for selectively extending and retracting tether lines along a length of said first section of said housing;    a control member for controlling said fan members and said tethering assemblies;    a pair of remote-controlled model aircraft for flying in said first section of said housing, each of said aircraft including a flight control system for controlling standard flight characteristics of said aircraft while in flight;    a pair of handheld transmitter members for controlling said control member and said flight control systems of said aircraft;    a plurality of receiver members for receiving remote control signals from said transmitter members, said plurality of receiver members including a pair of aircraft receivers and a pair of enclosure receivers, wherein said remote control signals are modulated radio waves; and    wherein each of said model aircraft are biased into a flight mode upon receiving sufficient airflow caused by said fan members and are controlled by each of said transmitter members while movement of joysticks on said transmitters permits a user to vary air velocity within said first section and a proximity of said aircraft to said fan members to alter flight conditions, and the flight characteristics of said aircraft.    
     
     
         2 . The model aircraft flight simulation apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a second end of said first section being mounted on said second section, said first section comprising a substantially transparent material.  
     
     
         3 . The model aircraft flight simulation apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising said enclosure having a first wall being oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said first section of said housing.  
     
     
         4 . The model aircraft flight simulation apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a top wall of said enclosure having a plurality of vents for permitting exterior air to enter said enclosure.  
     
     
         5 . The model aircraft flight simulation apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising said chamber having a partition wall extending between said open ends and being oriented substantially parallel to side walls of said first section such that said chamber is divided into two sides having substantially equal dimensions.  
     
     
         6 . The model aircraft flight simulation apparatus as set forth in  claim 3 , further comprising each of said fan members being located in said interior of said enclosure and including a fan blade member being positioned adjacent to a fan aperture in said first wall of said enclosure.  
     
     
         7 . The model aircraft flight simulation apparatus as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein a wind tunnel affect is created within each of said sides of said chamber from said second end out through a first end of said chamber when a respective one of said fan members is operating, each of said fan members being electrically coupled to said control member.  
     
     
         8 . The model aircraft flight simulation apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising each of said tether assemblies being positioned in said interior of said enclosure and comprising a motor-driven spool member having one of said tether lines wrapped thereabout, each of said tether assemblies being electrically coupled to said control member.  
     
     
         9 . The model aircraft flight simulation apparatus as set forth in  claim 8 , further comprising each of said tether lines extending away from said spool members through a pair of tether guide holes and through said chamber and being attached to a nose of each of said aircraft.  
     
     
         10 . The model aircraft flight simulation apparatus as set forth in  claim 9 , further comprising each of said guide holes being located in said a wall of said enclosure and being positioned above a respective one of said fan members.  
     
     
         11 . The model aircraft flight simulation apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising each of said spool members being positioned generally above a respective fan member such that said tether lines remain clear of said fan members.  
     
     
         12 . The model aircraft flight simulation apparatus as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein a length of each of said tether lines varies upon bi-directional rotation of said spool members as said tether lines are subsequently wound and unwound about said spool members causing said aircraft to move along the length of said chamber.  
     
     
         13 . The model aircraft flight simulation apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising said control member and each of said enclosure receivers being positioned in said interior of said enclosure, said control member being electrically coupled to said enclosure receiver, said control member being electrically couplable to a power supply.  
     
     
         14 . The model aircraft flight simulation apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising said enclosure receiver being responsive to said remote control signals from a respective transmitter member causing corresponding activation of said fan members and said tethering assemblies.  
     
     
         15 . The model aircraft flight simulation apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each of said flight control systems of said aircraft comprising one of said aircraft receivers, a pair of servos for controlling movement of ailerons of said aircraft, and a battery for powering said aircraft receiver and each of said servos, each of said flight control systems of said aircraft being integrally mounted in said aircraft.  
     
     
         16 . The model aircraft flight simulation apparatus as set forth in  claim 15 , further comprising said aircraft receiver being responsive to said remote control signals from a respective transmitter member causing corresponding activation of said servos, each of said servos of said flight control systems being electrically coupled to said battery and said aircraft receiver.  
     
     
         17 . The model aircraft flight simulation apparatus as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein activation of a first of said servos positions said ailerons of said aircraft in a manner causing said aircraft to roll, and activation of a second of said servos positions said ailerons in a manner causing said aircraft to pitch.  
     
     
         18 . A model aircraft flight simulation apparatus for flying model aircraft adjacent to a front end of a vehicle while the vehicle is in motion, said apparatus comprising: 
 a tethering assembly for selectively extending and retracting a tether line, said tethering assembly being selectively mountable to the front of the vehicle and extending above a hood of the vehicle, said tethering assembly comprising a motor-driven spool member having said tether line wrapped thereabout, said tethering assembly being electrically coupled to a battery of the vehicle;    a remote-controlled model aircraft for flying above the hood of the vehicle while the vehicle is moving, said aircraft being attached to an outward end of said tether line, said aircraft including a flight control system for controlling standard flight characteristics of said aircraft while in flight;    a handheld transmitter member for controlling said tethering assembly and said flight control system of said aircraft;    wherein a length said tether line varies upon bi-directional rotation of said spool member as said tether line is wound and unwound about said spool member causing said model aircraft to move to and from the front of the vehicle; and    wherein said model aircraft is biased into a flight mode upon receiving sufficient airflow caused by movement of the vehicle and is controlled by said transmitter member while movement of joysticks on said transmitter permits a user to vary a proximity of said aircraft with respect to the front of the vehicle.    
     
     
         19 . A model aircraft flight simulation apparatus for flying model aircraft in a controlled environment for the purpose of pleasure, flight training, and conducting a variety of airflow tests, said simulation apparatus comprising: 
 a housing having a first section and a second section, said first section comprising an elongate chamber having open ends, said second section comprising an enclosure having an interior;    a pair of fan members for creating airflow through said first section of said housing;    a pair of tethering assemblies for selectively extending and retracting tether lines along a length of said first section of said housing;    a control member for controlling said fan members and said tethering assemblies;    a pair of remote-controlled model aircraft for flying in said first section of said housing, each of said aircraft including a flight control system for controlling standard flight characteristics of said aircraft while in flight;    a pair of handheld transmitter members for controlling said control member and said flight control systems of said aircraft;    a plurality of receiver members for receiving remote control signals from said transmitter members, said plurality of receiver members including a pair of aircraft receivers and a pair of enclosure receivers, wherein said remote control signals are modulated radio waves;    wherein each of said model aircraft are biased into a flight mode upon receiving sufficient airflow caused by said fan members and are controlled by each of said transmitter members while movement of joysticks on said transmitters permits a user to vary air velocity within said first section and a proximity of said aircraft to said fan members to alter flight conditions, and the flight characteristics of said aircraft;    a second end of said first section being mounted on said second section, said first section comprising a substantially transparent material;    said enclosure having a first wall being oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said first section of said housing;    a top wall of said enclosure having a plurality of vents for permitting exterior air to enter said enclosure;    said chamber having a partition wall extending between said open ends and being oriented substantially parallel to side walls of said first section such that said chamber is divided into two sides having substantially equal dimensions;    each of said fan members being located in said interior of said enclosure and including a fan blade member being positioned adjacent to a fan aperture in said first wall of said enclosure;    wherein a wind tunnel affect is created within each of said sides of said chamber from said second end out through a first end of said chamber when a respective one of said fan members is operating, each of said fan members being electrically coupled to said control member;    each of said tether assemblies being positioned in said interior of said enclosure and comprising a motor-driven spool member having one of said tether lines wrapped thereabout, each of said tether assemblies being electrically coupled to said control member;    each of said tether lines extending away from said spool members through a pair of tether guide holes and through said chamber and being attached to a nose of each of said aircraft;    each of said guide holes being located in said first wall of said enclosure and being positioned above a respective one of said fan apertures;    each of said spool members being positioned generally above a respective fan member such that said tether lines remain clear of said fan members;    wherein a length of each of said tether lines varies upon bi-directional rotation of said spool members as said tether lines are subsequently wound and unwound about said spool members causing said aircraft to move along the length of said chamber;    said control member and each of said enclosure receivers being positioned in said interior of said enclosure, said control member being electrically coupled to said enclosure receiver, said control member being electrically couplable to a power supply;    said enclosure receiver being responsive to said remote control signals from a respective transmitter member causing corresponding activation of said fan members and said tethering assemblies;    wherein each of said flight control systems of said aircraft comprising one of said aircraft receivers, a pair of servos for controlling movement of ailerons of said aircraft, and a battery for powering said aircraft receiver and each of said servos, each of said flight control systems of said aircraft being integrally mounted in said aircraft;    said aircraft receiver being responsive to said remote control signals from a respective transmitter member causing corresponding activation of said servos, each of said servos of said flight control systems being electrically coupled to said battery and said aircraft receiver; and    wherein activation of a first of said servos positions said ailerons of said aircraft in a manner causing said aircraft to roll, and activation of a second of said servos positions said ailerons in a manner causing said aircraft to pitch.