System and method for simulating air mode and ground mode of an airplane

A method for simulating an air mode and a ground mode of an airplane, the air mode being a state of the airplane when the airplane is in the air and the ground mode being a state of the airplane when the airplane is on the ground, the method comprising:

• sensing parameters indicative of whether the airplane is sensed in the air or sensed on the ground;
• determining whether the airplane is sensed in the air or sensed on the ground;
• generating a signal indicative of a sensed air mode or a sensed ground mode;
• interfacing with an operator for selecting a simulated air mode or a simulated ground mode;
• overriding the signal indicative of the sensed air mode or the signal indicative of the sensed ground mode when the simulated air mode or the simulated ground mode is selected;
• and
• generating a signal indicative of the simulated air mode or the simulated ground mode in response selection of the simulated air mode or the simulated ground mode.

A system for simulating an air mode and a ground mode of an airplane, the air mode being a state of the airplane when the airplane is in the air and the ground mode being a state of the airplane when the airplane is on the ground, the system comprising:

• a plurality of sensors for sensing parameters indicative of whether the airplane is sensed in the air of sensed on the ground;
• first means for determining whether the airplane is sensed in the air or sensed on the ground, the first determining means being responsive to the sensors, the first determining means outputting a signal that is indicative of a sensed air mode or a sensed ground mode;
• an interface device for interfacing with an operator, a simulated air mode and a simulated ground mode being selectable via the interface device;
• and
• first means for overriding the signal output from the first determining means, the first overriding means outputting a signal that is indicative of the simulated air mode or the simulated ground mode in response to a selection from the interface device, and the first overriding means outputting a signal indicative of the sensed air mode or the sensed ground mode when the simulated air mode or the simulated ground mode is not selected.