To Be Used By USAF In Training Iraqis

Frasca International recently delivered 5 Flight Training Devices (FTDs) to the Kirkuk Air Base in Iraq for use by the US Air Force in training the Iraqi Air Force. These five units are part of a total order of nine FTDs that was placed in August 2007.

The devices will be used for training pilots for both helicopter and fixed wing aircraft and include three Cessna 172 FTDs, two Bell 206 helicopter FTDs, two Cessna Caravan FTDs and two Huey Helicopter FTDs. Three 172 FTDs and two Bell 206 FTDs have been delivered to date. The Caravan FTDs will be delivered this month and the remaining devices will follow within the next few months. All nine FTDs will include Frasca's TruVision 220 visual display system for greater realism and fidelity.

In order to commemorate their appreciation of the quick delivery of the first devices, the US Army presented Rudy Frasca, President of Frasca International with a plaque. The presentation took place on April 3rd at the Frasca facility in Urbana, IL.

"It is hard to imagine how we trained without the Frasca simulators," said Lt Col Mark Bennett, Commander of the 52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron. "We received the simulators and we were up and running within a couple days.

"The number one attraction, and the place I take all VIPs, General Officers and high level civilians from both the US and Iraq, is to the simulator room.  When I need to explain our training practices the Frasca simulators are very helpful.  The visuals are outstanding and the simulators show exactly how we are training the Iraqi Air Force's future pilots."

The contract is a result of a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case originated from PEO-STRI to procure multiple flight training devices for the Iraqi Air Force Flight Training Program. The devices will be used for a large portion of the flight instruction. The pilot training will include approximately 80 hours in the Cessna 172 aircraft and approximately 40 hours in the Frasca 172 FTD and 60 hours in the Cessna Caravan 208B and approximately 70 hours in the Frasca 208B FTD.

The Iraqis have not had a flight training school since 2003.

FMI: www.frasca.com