The first mobile commercial flight simulator could gain US Federal Aviation Administration approval by mid-June. TechniFlite's Mobile Training Facility (MTF) is a tractor-trailer housing a full flight simulator for the Raytheon Beech 1900D regional airliner.
The company will base the MTF at its Englewood, Colorado, factory for Great Lakes Aviation, and possibly relocate it in August to Cleveland, Ohio. The FAA, at least initially, will check the device after each move, says TechniFlite.
The company's backers are expected to give the go-ahead for construction of a further nine full flight simulators and six flight training devices over the next five years, TechniFlite says. At least one will be another 1900D, he says.
SymSystems has received a $5.9 million contract to build a relocatable, trailer-based simulator for the US Marine Corps' Grumman EA-6B Prowler carrier-borne electronic warfare aircraft. The weapon systems trainer will replicate separately the front and rear cockpits of the EA-6B. It is due to be delivered in late 1999.
Source: Flight International
