Alteon Training, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, told ANN Tuesday the company has received certification for a Diamond Aircraft Flight Training Device (FTD) simulator for their upcoming multi-crew pilot license (MPL) beta test in Brisbane, Australia. The simulator, classified as a Flight Training Device, was certified to the FAA Advisory Circular 120-45a, Level 5 standard by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia.

The FTD is an actual Diamond Aircraft Industries DA40 cockpit that has been modified for training use and includes a functioning canopy. To ensure the realism of the training program, the simulator looks, feels and operates in an identical manner to the aircraft. Data such as flight handling characteristics and column forces have been taken from the actual aircraft and replicated in the FTD.

"To support Alteon’s commitment to the industry in testing the new MPL training program, we have chosen to use sophisticated simulators and visual systems," said Alteon president Sherry Carbary. "The Diamond simulator provides the most realistic training environment for our cadets in the initial phase of the MPL beta test."

The accuracy of the simulator with respect to the aircraft, combined with Rockwell Collins EP 10 advanced visual system, qualify the device as one of the most sophisticated general aviation simulators built today. The EP 10 has full color texture, and a world wide seamless geographic database using advanced features such as satellite imagery. Embedded are actual models of airfields with high level detail.

"The EP 10 visual system is a simplified direct projection version of our EP1000 that is installed on many full flight simulators around the world. This image generator combined with the very latest LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicone) projector ensures pilots will be trained in an exceptionally realistic environment," said David Rushton, director Commercial Business Development, Rockwell Collins.

"Diamond Aircraft is proud to support Alteon in the MPL beta test. The simulator is designed to provide the most comfortable and precise environment for learning," said Gerhard Thamm, managing director of Diamond Simulation Company, a division of Diamond Aircraft Industries.

Alteon currently offers training services at seven training centers in the Asia-Pacific region, including Brisbane and Melbourne, Australia, Seoul, South Korea; Kunming and Tianjin, China, Tokyo, Japan and Singapore.

FMI: www.alteontraining.com, www.casa.gov.au