Technology Department News

More Information about Aviation's Flight Training Devices (FTDs)

Posted: May 21, 2008

Frasca TruFlight

Purchased in December 2007. It will be equipped with a both a Cessna 172 and Piper Seminole aircraft kit. The aircraft performance kits are the same the Frasca uses in their level 6 FTDs. The FTD will have a 220 degree visual display that "wraps around" from the trailing edge of each wingtip. The vision is projected be three overhead projectors onto a 9' tall screen. The FTD will also have a Garmin 430 GPS, operable circuit breakers that either the student or instructor can "pop", control loading to simulate different control pressures at varying speeds, a wide cockpit with two seats, operable copilot flight controls, copilot flight instruments in the Seminole model, and Frasca has agreed to give us 5 custom airport databases from their existing visual library.

Frasca also included a Mentor Advanced Aircraft Training Device (AATD). This device is a Cessna 172 aircraft model and a has Garmin G1000 glass panel and a Garmin GFC700 autopilot. We plan to use the device for "glass training." (Download a pdf of the TruFlight brochure.)

Both the Mentor and TruFlight are approved by the FAA for training. Frasca has a LOA from the FAA approving the TruFlight and Mentor for up to 20 hours of instrument training, instrument currency (six approaches, holds, and nav intercepting) and up to 50 hours toward commercial training.

 

ATC-810

Donated in May 2008. It was sent it in for repair and to add the database for the Walla Walla and Portland area. It already had New York and Alaska previously installed. The flight training device (FTD) replicates a Piper Chieftain and can be used for multi-engine, instrument, and high performance aircraft training. It will also be great for interview sim prep as many companies use ATC-810s or similar FTDs for their "sim rides." The FTD is approved for up to 20 hours of instrument training and instrument currency in a Letter of Authorization (LOA) from the FAA.

 

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