Will Help Prepare Students For The Big Leagues
Aero-News has learned that Western
Michigan University's College of Aviation is investing in three new
flight training devices, that should prepare students to fly the
college's new fleet of Cirrus aircraft... as well as allowing those
students to later make a smooth transition to the kind of jets
popularly used by regional airlines.
The college has placed an order for three flight training
devices (FTDs) from Frasca International of Urbana, IL Often
called simulators by the general public, FTDs allow students to
become familiar with flight controls and begin their basic flight
instruction in the laboratory.
Representatives with Frasca told ANN Thursday the FTD package
includes an FAA Level 6 CRJ 200 regional jet FTD, and two Cirrus
FTDs. The Cirrus FTDs (below) will be convertible between the
SR22 and SR20 -- the two aircraft models in the college's fleet --
and will be dual qualified as FAA Level 6 FTDs.
All three devices will include Frasca's TruVision 220 visual
system -- with custom visual databases, GISt (graphical instructor
station) and Frasca's debriefing station, as well as the unique
maneuvering capabilities required for WMU's mission of "ab-initio"
flight training.
"Ab-initio" means "from the beginning" and refers to the method
of flight training embraced by WMU's aviation program.
"We are committed to providing WMU with the best devices and
customer service available and look forward to working with them
for years to come," says John Frasca, vice president of Frasca
International.
WMU's College of Aviation offers one of the most comprehensive
aviation programs of any public university. With nearly 700
undergraduate students, it is one of the largest aviation programs
in the nation.
"The program is being completely transformed to provide the
student with the best preparation available for a professional
aviation career," says Capt. Steve Jones, director of safety and
simulation for the college.
As Aero-News has reported,
over the past year the college has replaced its training fleet with
Cirrus aircraft, that have technology and cockpit configurations
similar to what is found in commercial airliners.
"The College of Aviation staff includes a number of major air
carrier captains with many years of airline experience and
familiarity with the training requirements of most airlines," Jones
added. "It is extremely important that the simulators look, feel
and fly exactly like the aircraft used in order to provide the
training experience necessary to prepare the student for a career
as a professional in the aviation industry.
"WMU is going to provide the best training available for
prospective airline pilots," Jones said. "The Frasca devices will
play a large part in our program."