New Sim to Debut at FSI Farnborough in 2025
Textron has expanded support for its European business jet customers by bringing a new Cessna Citation CJ3+/Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 Convertible Full-Flight Simulator to the United Kingdom.
Subject simulator is scheduled to be operational and ready to facilitate training events at FlightSafety International’s Farnborough, England Learning Center in January 2025.
The iconic Cessna Citation business jet family is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc. Similarly, the Cessna Citation CJ3+/Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 Convertible Full-Flight Simulator is produced by Textron subsidiary TRU Simulation + Training—a Canadian-American manufacturer of flight simulators and training devices for civil and military markets. Formed in 2014, TRU Simulation + comprises elements of simulator manufacturers Mechtronix and OPNICUS, both of which were acquired by Textron and merged with the conglomerate’s Textron Systems division.
Textron Sales, Europe vice-president Duncan Van De Velde stated: “Our customers rely on us to design and deliver the best aviation experience, and that includes supporting them throughout their entire aircraft ownership journey. We are pleased to share this new training option for customers in Europe who trust Cessna Citations to fulfill their missions.”
Among the aviation industry’s preeminent Part 142 simulator training concerns, FlightSafety International provides training for pilots, technicians, flight attendants, and other aviation professionals hailing from 167 countries and independent territories. The company operates the world’s largest fleet of advanced full-flight simulators at learning centers and training locations in the United States, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom. Flight Safety’s Farnborough location offers EASA training for corporate and regional aircraft.
FlightSafety Textron Aviation Training CEO and Director of Operations Brian Moore set forth: “We are excited to expand our extensive Cessna Citation training network into the region. Our partnership with Textron Aviation and TRU will provide a high-fidelity training device and enable us to deliver a high-quality training experience to our mutual customers.”
In addition to the latest G3000 avionics, the new Cessna Citation CJ3+/Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 Convertible Full-Flight Simulator features genuine aircraft parts throughout the cockpit, thereby providing pilots and instructors an accurate representation of the aircraft. TRU’s design incorporates the company’s third-generation control loading system, which produces a highly-realistic flight experience.
TRU Simulation + Training vice-president and general manager Jerry Messaris remarked: “Pilot training is critical to our industry’s success. We’re pleased to provide a world-class training device to compliment the legendary Cessna Citation lineup.”
The full-flight motion of the new Farnborough Learning Center’s Citation simulator integrates TRU’s REALCue system, which comprises an electric motion base with 42-inch-stroke actuators. The simulator’s visual system features FlightSafety’s VITAL 1150 Image Generation system, a 200°×40° display generated by a sophisticated array of high-resolution airfield models and high-definition projectors carefully paired to create an immersive training environment. What’s more, the new Citation simulator makes use of TRU’s latest frame architecture, which supports configurable seating and IOS arrangement as well as improved access to internal components for device maintenance.