Business aviation simulator-training specialist Simcom is expanding the aircraft types it supports. Level 5 flight training devices (FTDs) for the Mitsubishi Mu-2 and Raytheon King Air 350 twin turboprops are due to be operational at the company's Orlando, Florida, centre by the second quarter.
A second training device for the single-turboprop Pilatus PC-12 will also be added. The FTD, representing the latest Series 10 aircraft, will be located at Pilatus Business Aircraft's North American headquarters in Broomfield, Colorado. The first PC-12 device, at Simcom's Orlando centre, will be updated to Series 9 standard. Simcom is the factory-authorised provider of training on the PC-12.
The fixed-base devices are being built by manufacturing arm Simcom Simulation Technologies, and feature the company's visually cued motion technology, which combines a 180º wrap-around visual display with a PC-based image generator produced byQuantum3D. Selected instruments and panels on the King Air FTD are capable of being swapped out, so the device could be used for training on the C90B and B200 as well as the 300/350 series.
The first of two Mu-2 devices planned will simulate the Honeywell TPE331-10-powered version with HoneywellSPZ-500 autopilot. The second Mu-2 FTD, planned for the second quarter of next year, will simulate the TPE331-6-powered version with Bendix M4D autopilot. In July, under a 10-year training agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Simcom will replace Flight Safety International as the factory-authorised provider of pilot and maintenance training on the Mu-2.
The King Air and Mu-2 devices will continue the expansion of Simcom's new Orlando centre into business aviation training. Bombardier Learjet 35/26 and Cessna Citation II full-flight simulators were recently relocated to Orlando from the Miami centre of parent company Pan Am International Flight Academy.
Source: Flight International
