Language selection

Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

Search veterans.gc.ca

The Link Trainer

Heroes Remember

The Link Trainer

Transcript
Interviewer: What type of training did you take at ITS or Initial Training School? Well we took the ground school of course, and I think that was our first introduction to the Link Trainer. Do you know anything about the Link Trainer? Interviewer: Please describe to me the Link Trainer. Well, it was originated by a fellow in the States and as a boy he grew up with his father who played the organ and was a, built organs in the factory and the boy of course worked for him and when he got older and learned to fly he wondered if he couldn't make an instrument to teach you instrument flying on the ground rather than trying to have it taught solely in the air. And developed on the same principle as the organ with the bellows and that's what he produced and they called it the Link Trainer because that was his name. And it had a panel, instrument panel, it had a hood too, but it had an instrument panel the same probably as a Harvard aircraft. The instructor sat at a desk and he had the same instrument panel and he would give, the student would get in, pull the hood down, turn it on and then he would be given instructions on what to do. In the old days, the Department of Transport ran the air radio stations at the airports and that's how the fellows found their way back using radio. If you were on the beam, you'd get a steady sound in your ears, if you went off the beam to one side you'd start picking up the Morse Code for an "A" which is "dit dah, dit dah, dit dah." If you went off on the other side, it would be the Morse Code for an "N" "dah dit, dah dit," so that way you would know you'd have to turn back onto the beam. If you stay on the beam till you get to the, where its originating from you hit what's called the "Cone of Silence" and then you would pick up a steady sound on the other side of the beam. But we had Link Training all through our pilots' training. I think by the time I finished school I had about 80 hours on the Link Trainer, I've got 80 hours in my log book anyway, and it was well worth my while because it taught you how to fly in fog.
Description

Mr. Sproule describes the Link Trainer - an early flight simulator used for the training of pilots.

Frederick Howard Sproule

Mr. Sproule was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, on September 22, 1918. He first served as a cadet with the Seaforth Highlanders before joining the regular service. He switched to the air force as soon as he was able, first being accepted as a gunner, and then into pilot training. After serving as a flight instructor on Harvards, Mr Sproule was shipped to Great Britain where he trained on a Hurricane. Eventually, he piloted a Typhoon as a bomber in the Burma Campaign, helping to drive back the Japanese. His tour finished as the Japanese were completely driven out of Burma.

Meta Data
Medium:
Video
Owner:
Veterans Affairs Canada
Duration:
02:55
Person Interviewed:
Frederick Howard Sproule
War, Conflict or Mission:
Second World War
Location/Theatre:
Canada
Branch:
Air Force
Rank:
Corporal
Occupation:
Pilot in Training

Copyright / Permission to Reproduce

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Youtube

Related Videos

Flight Instructor in the Commonwealth Air Training Program

Flight Instructor in the Commonwealth Air Training Program

Mr. Sproule recalls his disappointment in being posted as flight instructor, rather than being posted overseas, and explains why it was necessary.

Flight Training Accidents

Flight Training Accidents

Mr. Sproule recalls some dangerous incidents during his time as a flight instructor at Uplands Airport in Ottawa.

ATA Girls

ATA Girls

Mr. Sproule remembers his surprise at seeing a female fighter pilot, and praises the abilities of the Air Transport Auxiliary.

Flying on Fumes

Flying on Fumes

Mr. Sproule recalls a mission during which his Typhoon suffered a mechanical failure, placing him in quite a predicament.

Mid-Air Engine Failure

Mid-Air Engine Failure

Mr. Sproule remembers experiencing a mid-air engine failure in a Typhoon during a test flight.

Camouflaging Sound from the Air

Camouflaging Sound from the Air

Mr. Sproule recalls being detailed to provide camouflage for the Army who was crossing a river - driving back Japanese from Burma.

Mistaken Identity

Mistaken Identity

Mr. Sproule recalls a near dangerous case of mistaken identity in the jungle of Burma.

Shot on a Bombing Run

Shot on a Bombing Run

Mr. Sproule recalls being hit during a bombing run in Burma.

Duty to Defend, and Youth Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice

Duty to Defend, and Youth Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice

Mr. Sproule expresses his opinions on one's duty to defend one's Country, and the young ages of Allied Airmen who paid the ultimate price.

Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day

Mr. Sproule reflects on what Remembrance Day means to him.

Date modified: