By Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-788338.mp3
Niagara Falls, NY – An historic piece of equipment has been retired at Calpsan in Niagara Falls. It is know as the Total in Flight Simulator. For years the research aircraft was used for the U.S. Space program.
Calspan says retiring the Total in Flight Simulator is an end of an era, but also opens the door for advanced technology. The original aircraft was built in 1955. Calspan received in late 1966 and converted it into the flight simulator. Norm Weingarten is a program manger with Calspan.
The Total In Flight Simulator was first used in the development of the B-1 and B-2, then in the 1970's it was used for the space shuttle. Weingarten says it was the most capable in flight simulator. It has flown more than 2,500 research flights. He says the company is currently operating a fleet of six aircraft and continue to conduct aeronautical research.
The Total in-Flight simulator is now at the air force museum at the Wright-Patterson Air Force in Dayton Ohio.
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