Use of a personal computer as a data acquisition system for flight testing

This thesis describes the use of a personal computer as a data gathering system for flight testing and the use of over-the-counter products to construct a data system for use in aircraft flight testing.

The system is comprised of a small personal computer (a Commodore 128), a high speed disk drive, instrumentation and pilot's computer control. The pilot's computer control is unique in that it allows the pilot to control the system with a single switch. Power is supplied by a static inverter which the pilot also controls. Reduced data is available by manipulation of the data on the floppy disk once on the ground.