The Link GAT-1 Flight Trainer

Following the success of the 1930s Link Trainer during World War II Link Aviation continued development of aviation simulators and by the late 1960s large aircraft simulators were widely used by the military and airlines.

In 1969, shortly after the company became the Link Division of the Singer Company, the GAT-1 General Aviation Flight Trainer was announced. Price was reported as about CAD$ 17,000 and the GAT was also made available on a short term lease programme. The IFR option appears to have included a map tracking instructor's table similar to that of the Link Trainer.

Today, they can be seen - and in a few cases flown - in aviation museums often in the childrens’ play areas. The fibreglass cab and blue paint seem in most cases to have stood up well over the past 50 years. All seem to have been marked “N192GP”, significance unknown.

Ian M Macdonald
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