Will Be Unveiled At 2009 National Training Aircraft Symposium

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Frasca International announced Monday they will unveil the first integrated flight training device (FTD) with virtual air traffic control commands, that will give student pilots more realistic training.

Designed specifically for general aviation pilot training, the product called SAFTE (Synthetic Automated Flight Training Environment) with Virtual Air Traffic (VAT) will be demonstrated at Embry-Riddle's National Training Aircraft Symposium, March 16-19 on the Daytona Beach campus. The annual event brings together academics, industry leaders, and manufacturers to discuss and exhibit the latest trends and equipment in aviation education.

This year's focus will be on future safety management systems and NextGen performance-based operations. 

SAFTE/VAT incorporates simulated flight plans with voice recognition technology to deliver a real world flight experience, allowing the student pilot to "fly" in a particular situation or air space, and receive specific commands from the virtual air traffic controller.  The technology enables the flight instructor to focus on teaching rather than role-playing and better trains the student through repetitive, learned behaviors in scenario-based situations.

"Embry-Riddle is proud to collaborate with Frasca to advance the state of the art in flight simulation," said Dr. Dan Macchiarella, associate professor of aeronautical science at Embry Riddle and project manager for the University. "Our research shows that students learn more and much faster in a virtual simulation environment, thereby increasing the cost efficiency of our training programs."

Embry-Riddle uses FTD training extensively in its FAA Part 141/142 approved flight training curricula. "Frasca has worked with varied special requirements over the years to develop an array of tools that enhance the simulator environment," said John Frasca, vice president of Frasca International. "The SAFTE/VAT product puts those tools under singular control to give the instructor more opportunity to be an instructor—and the University more control over standardization. In yet another productive collaboration with Embry-Riddle, we have identified a reliable source for curriculum development that complements the powerful tools available on our products."

SAFTE with VAT will be demonstrated at Embry-Riddle's NTAS event, as well as in a special presentation by Dr. Macchiarella and John Frasca, on Tuesday, March 17.

Macchiarella and his team developed the curriculum and comprehensive program of air traffic controller commands in the new product, while Frasca developed the software tools. Embry-Riddle will be the first beta test user (not for student training) of SAFTE with VAT in its aviation labs to finalize the product before commercial availability through Frasca, which is anticipated sometime in the fourth quarter of 2009.

FMI: www.embryriddle.edu, www.frasca.com