GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC
Flurry of new deliveries follows increased interest from flight schools, as manufacturers seek more approvals
Low-cost training devices are gaining popularity with flight schools. In recent weeks, Frasca has delivered three TruFlite training devices, reconfigurable between Piper's single-engined Warrior and twin-engined Seminole, to the University of North Dakota (UND); Exeter, UK-based Flightpass has installed an Evolution S812 device from Elite, convertible between Piper's Arrow single and Seneca III twin; and France's Alsim has launched its AL50 single-engine training device in North America.
Frasca's new TruFlite series is designed to meet European FNPT I and II standards for single- and twin-engined training. UND's devices feature single-channel Frasca TruVision projected visual systems, while Flightpass's device, manufactured by Switzerland's Elite Simulation Solutions, has three-channel Elite RealView visuals. Neuchatel, Switzerland-based Air Espace already uses an S812 with three-channel visual for Beech Baron B58 training.
Elite, meanwhile, has received approval for complex single-engined aircraft training on the device, which was designed to meet FNPT II standards for twin-engine aircraft. The approval, by Swiss civil aviation authority FOCA, has allowed the Swiss Pilot School Association (SwissPSA) to begin Beech Bonanza training on a device leased from Elite. SwissPSA is using the device for private pilot's licence (PPL) and instrument rating (IR) training. Use of an FNPT II-standard device allows a maximum credit of 40h towards the total of 55 flight hours required for an instrument rating, the association says.
Late last year, Elite received European approval for its S612 basic instrument training device, which can provide up to 5h credit towards a PPL and 10h towards an IR. The device is convertible between single- and twin-engined versions and upgradable to FPNT I or II standard, says Elite. The company has also received US approval for its G500 as an advanced PC aviation training device, in desktop or full-cockpit configuration.
Elite has also sold an S623 synthetic training device to Phillips Search & Rescue Trust of New Zealand for Eurocopter AS350B training. The device has a three-channel visual. Pilatus has ordered a PC-9M training device for delivery to the Irish Air Corps in May. The device will have a 220°-wide RealView visual.
Alsim has launched its AL50 training device in North America in association with Canada's Toronto Airways. The single-seat AL50 is certificated as a basic instrument training device. South Africa's 43 Air School has purchased an AL50 along with an AL200MCC instrument-rating trainer with dual controls and visual system.
Source: Flight International
