The trainer replicates realistic movements manipulated through the pilot's controls. The basic trainer looks like a cockpit with a control column, control wheel, two footpedals, and various flight and navigation instruments. It sits on four pneumatic bellows that are mounted on a cross frame. Pushing the control column forward, for example, would rotate linkages in the upper half of an air-admission port. This port would reduce the air pressure to the forward two bellows and cause the train to tilt forward.
Trainers have the ability to turn, pitch and bank.
Not only was pilot training improved before leaving the ground, but the trainer also emphasized instrument training over visual observation. Later versions of the Link trainer were used to train the Apollo astronauts for the moon landing. It was overhauled in 1972 and moved to its current display by 1973. It was initially made fully operational and used for Civil Air Patrol classes. Representative of the technology, it is located within the Edwin A. Link collection, which allows access to the general public alongside other training memorabilia.