Link Trainer AN-2550-1

The development of civil air traffic in the twenties of the last century led to the emergence of a new type of flying in all weather conditions and at night - so-called instrument flying. In an effort to reduce the risk and cost of training, the American designer Edwin A. Link constructed in 1931 a trainer that represents a cockpit with all instruments, mounted on a support so that it can turn, rock and tilt depending on the given command in the same way as a real airplane, with all instruments responding appropriately. This is accomplished by a vacuum system and valves connected to the pilot's controls and instruments. Next to the trainer sits a teacher at a separate table who monitors the students' work using a special printer - a "spider" and a group of instruments.

Its more widespread application in pilot schools in the United States followed a series of disasters in 1934, caused by the low level of training of American pilots in "blind flying", and World War II led to its mass application. Today, "blind flying" trainers are an indispensable part of the training of civil and military pilots and have the common name "link-trainer".

The first five examples that arrived in Yugoslavia were acquired in 1939 for the needs of "Aeroput" pilot training, and after the Second World War they were acquired on two occasions - the first 10 pieces in 1945, and then another 14 pieces in 1946. - they have received the designation ANT-18.

The example on display is the original trainer of Edward Link and was obtained from Aeroclub "Franjo Kluz " from Zemun in 1992.