Buyers of Cirrus light aircraft will soon be able to receive simulator training under a programme launched by SimTrain. The new Atlanta, Georgia-based company has purchased three Cirrus-specific full-motion simulators from Fidelity Flight Simulation.
SimTrain plans to locate the low-cost simulators at Cirrus-authorised training centres under revenue-sharing agreements. The first device will be installed at Lift Flight Training at Atlanta's Peachtree DeKalb airport later this year, and Fidelity plans to deliver all three by year-end, says Mark Limbach, Fidelity vice-president, marketing. US East Coast and West Coast locations are planned.
Each Level 3 training device, equipped with six-axis electric motion and liquid-crystal visual display systems, will be reconfigurable between Cirrus SR20/22 variants with traditional and electronic flight instruments.
The simulator cockpit will be equipped with the central multifunction display, while a left-hand screen will mimic either conventional instruments or the Avidyne Entegra primary flight display, says Limbach.
Cirrus is spearheading the general-aviation industry's move to "technically advanced" aircraft, and the availability of simulator training is expected to reduce insurance premiums. Fidelity has produced Level 3 full-motion simulators for the Cessna 425/441 and Caravan, as well as the Eurocopter EC135, and has plans in place for higher-fidelity Level 6 devices suitable for Part 135 check rides and for use by Part 145-approved flight schools, says Limbach.
GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC
Source: Flight International
