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." 

FMI: www.frasca.com, www.wmich.edu/aviation