Mike and the guys at Everts Air Cargo in Fairbanks, Alaska are restoring a GAT-1 trainer. The GAT-1 (General Aviation Trainer) trainers followed the Blue Boxes in the early 1960s. They featured transistorized circuitry and improved instrumentation and training capabilities.
After unpacking the simulation crates, they are ready to start with fiberglass repair of the dings the sim has accumulated over the years, and paint it back to its original colors. The fuselage and interior are in amazing condition and the last recorded flight was in 1981. The years of humidity, subzero temps and time have taken a toll on the electronics but Mike is certain it can be restored. He restores old radios and such; he is anxious to dive in.
That MD82 flight simulator platform pictured above is the last Level D FAA qualified Singer Link left in operation in the world. Everts Air Cargo bought four platforms from American Airlines and one from Allegiant Airlines (Las Vegas Based) and salvaged all except one (MD80-2 platform) to restore this one and keep it running to FAA standards. We have replaced the original visual system with a new RSI 4K HD upgraded visual system, and a new IOS (Instructor Operating System) as well as Stall Box for upset training requirements and a Bad Elf Bluetooth system for the pilots using their iPads for flight training using current NavData updates in the FMS downloaded from Honeywell, which is the same database as used in our line aircraft operations.
For now, the work on the GAT simulator is halted waiting for parts, and we are in the process of installing a brand-new Pilatus PC-12 flight sim for our 135 operations. That sim will feature 6-D motion as well as visuals too. Further work on the GAT will be logged here …