Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

A terrain board is a detailed scale model of a piece of terrain, which is used in flight simulators to train pilots. A television camera, with a long depth-of-field and coupled to the motions of the simulator, "flies" along the board in response to the pilot's actions. The television image is displayed in the simulator cockpit, giving the trainee a view of what he or she would see if flying an actual craft.

This board, manufactured by the Singer-Link Aviation Company, was used to train helicopter pilots, and was intricately detailed to provide a realistic view at low simulated altitudes. With the advent of digital computers with high-resolution graphics displays, these boards became obsolete.

Donated by the Singer-Link Aviation Company to the Museum in 1986.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type EQUIPMENT-Training Devices Manufacturer Singer-Link Aviation Co.
 Physical Description 48 x 48 x 6"; model board of terrain; used to train helicopter pilots. Dimensions Overall: 6 in. × 4 ft. × 4 ft. (15.2 × 121.9 × 121.9cm)
3-D (Overall with Plexiglass Cover): 132.1 × 132.1 × 36.8cm (4 ft. 4 in. × 4 ft. 4 in. × 1 ft. 2 1/2 in.)
 Materials Plaster
Wood
Plexiglass
Paints
Synthetic Materials
Metal Wire
Plastics
Miscellaneous Materials
Plexiglass
Paints
Synthetic Materials
Metal Wire
Plastics
Adhesives
 Inventory Number A19860222000 Credit Line Gift of Singer-Link Aviation Co. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.