Joins Cessna 172, Beechcraft Duchess FTDs In The Program

Delta State University in Cleveland, MS has placed an order for a Level 6 DA42 FTD (Flight Training Device) from Frasca International, Inc. Urbana, IL. The school currently uses three Frasca TruFite FTDs for the Cessna 172 and Beechcraft Duchess aircraft in their commercial aviation program. The new DA42 FTD will be delivered in Spring of 2016 and will feature Frasca's TruVision visual system, advanced cockpit weather and traffic interface and Garmin G1000 advanced avionics.

The DA42 FTD will simulate the Diamond DA42 aircraft. The DA42 aircraft is a complex multi-engine aircraft that has a G-1000 which is one of the most advanced PFD (primary flight display) and MFD (multifunction flight display) glass cockpits available in modern aircraft today. According to Rogel Campbell, Assistant Chief Flight Instructor at Delta State, "It is a big transition jumping out of a single engine Cessna 172-R aircraft with steam gauges and then getting into a faster, complex, multi-engine aircraft with a glass cockpit. The DA42 FTD will definitely ease the transition for students. Our students will have to demonstrate not only flying the aircraft which is a task in its self, but also be able to use all equipment in that aircraft and this is where a complete and accurate replica DA42 FTD pays off. Our DA 42 aircraft has a G-1000 that is paired with a KAP 140 auto pilot and currently we have no way of demonstrating how the two work together besides being in the actual aircraft which can be very costly to the student. The student will have to know how to program the G-1000, use the auto pilot, and shoot an instrument approach all while being under the hood and cannot see outside. This is where a DA42 FTD will really shine and allow us to instruct the student on the programing and be able to pause the simulation if the student is having trouble which cannot be done in the aircraft."

Frasca is well known in the collegiate aviation sector and has recently delivered FTDs to Western Michigan University (WMU), the University of North Dakota (UND), Korea Aerospace University and other colleges and universities worldwide.

(Image provided by Frasca)

FMI: www.frasca.com