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| NC-131H Samaritan | |
|---|---|
 Convair NC-131H at the Airpark section of theNational Museum of the United States Air Force | |
| General information | |
| Type | In-Flight Simulator |
| Manufacturer | Convair |
| Status | Retired, on display at theNational Museum of the United States Air Force |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| Number built | 1 |
| History | |
| Manufactured | Late 1960s |
| Introduction date | 1971 |
| First flight | 1970 |
| Retired | 2008 |
| Developed from | Convair C-131 Samaritan |
TheConvair NC-131H Samaritan, also known as theTotal In-Flight Simulator (TIFS), is a modifiedConvair C-131 Samaritan that was used to study aircraft handling characteristics. Built as a C-131B, the aircraft underwent extensive conversion and modification by theUnited States Air Force,NASA,Calspan and others from the late 1960s until the 2000s. TIFS' maiden flight was in 1970.
The aircraft, at the time, a C-131B transport, was modified with assistance from NASA, into the NC-131B Control Configured Vehicle, a variable stability aircraft. It would go on to experience further modification, being re-engined and re-designated as the NC-131H by theUSAF Research Labs (AFRL).[when?] The "N" in the designation indicates that the aircraft had been permanently (ergo, extensively) modified. TIFS is hailed by Calspan as a "cost effective and efficient test-bed aircraft" with a "spacious cabin and replaceable nose." its use was intended for programs with large equipment needs. The TIFS is equipped with a removable, modular simulation cockpit.
The original piston engines were replaced byturboprop engines[when?] a second cockpit was added, and vertical fins were installed on the wings to provide side forces, simulatingcrosswinds to provide test data. The aircraft is owned by the Flight Dynamics Laboratory (FDL), but is operated and maintained by The Calspan Corporation (originally Cornell Aeronautical Labs).
According to Calspan, the computers onboard TIFS were designed for ease of programming allowing rapid turnaround and system changes. This is to increase the efficiency (and thus, profitability) of hosting and checkout of customer software. Since the simulation is not critical to safety of flight, changes can be made without extensive verification and validation, allowing onboard flight test engineers to reprogram the system in flight if necessary.
The TIFS first flew in 1970, and its first research project helped devise theB-1 bomber's flying characteristics. Over its 40-year career, the TIFS has been continuously modernized to simulate and aid in the development of many military,NASA, and Civilian aircraft, including theBoeing X-40,Northrop Tacit Blue,Space Shuttle,Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit,Northrop YF-23,Boeing C-17 Globemaster III,Boeing SST,McDonnell Douglas MD-12 andIPTN N-250.
Engineers also utilize the TIFS for studying how large aircraft handle during critical phases of flight like takeoff and landing.[1]
During theMartin Marietta Smart Weapons Program, TIFS was modified to replicate an intelligentcruise missile.[2]
In 2008, sole NC-131H was moved to theNational Museum of the United States Air Force inDayton, Ohio. As of 2024, the aircraft remains on display in the Air Park outside the museum.[1]
Data from United States Military Aircraft since 1909[3][failed verification] (Note specs might not be 100% accurate they are educated guesses)
General characteristics
Performance
