The TouchTrainer consists of the following main components:


Hardware

  • Windows Computer. This drives all of the hardware and software.
  • VisX. This is the three monitors that provide a wrap-around view out of the cockpit.
  • Main Touchscreen Display. The main display provides a touch-driven representation of the panel for the currently-selected aircraft type.
  • Auxiliary Touchscreen Display. The smaller auxiliary display provides additional panel controls/instruments as well as access to the Integrated Simulator Controls to control weather, location, failures, etc.
  • Flight Controls. A yoke and push/pull throttle quadrant is provided for realistic control of the Cessna, and a joystick and an axis-style throttle quadrant are provided for the Cirrus. Both aircraft utilize rudder pedals.
  • Custom Table. A customized table and platform hold all of the components and allow secure mounting of the flight controls for either airplane configuration.
  • Instructor Workstation. A Microsoft Surface Pro 3 tablet provides instructors with the ability to monitor and control the flight, including location, weather, failures, etc.


Software

  • X-Plane 10. X-Plane is one of the leading simulator software packages on the market. X-Plane provides the flight physics as well as the visual display.
  • SimAVIO. This software, custom-designed by FlyThisSim--manufacturer of the TouchTrainer--provides the unique touch-driven panel interface. It sits on top of X-Plane, translating all of the touch gestures into X-Plane commands under the covers.
  • Integrated Simulator Controls. Displayed in the bottom right corner if the Auxiliary Touchscreen Display, these touch controls allow you to adjust weather, aircraft position, etc.
  • Instructor Operating Station. Software that runs on the Instructor Workstation and allows the instructor to control the flight experience.

See the computer-generated images below for the layout of the TouchTrainer and instructor workstation software. Right-click an image and click View image in a new tab to see a larger version (the name of the menu may be different depending on which browser you use.)


Legend:

  1. Computer
  2. VisX
  3. Main Touchscreen Display
  4. Auxiliary Touchscreen Display
  5. Keyboard/touchpad
  6. Joystick/Yoke
  7. Throttle Quadrant
  8. Rudder Pedal
  9. Custom Table

Cessna Configuration
Note: A G1000 configuration is shown in this computer-generated image. Our Cessna panel is analog, to match our club aircraft.



Cirrus Configuration

Note: A Garmin Perspective configuration is shown in this computer-generated image. Our Cirrus panel is Avidyne, to match our club aircraft.


Instructor Workstation

Note: This image shows the instructor station running on a convertible laptop. Our system uses a Microsoft Surface Pro 3 tablet.