Include CAPS Chute Modules

SimTrain, a new company specializing in supporting flight training for Cirrus aircraft, is buying three Cirrus specific, full motion simulators from Fidelity Flight Simulation. SimTrain will place these Fidelity MOTUS simulators in Cirrus Certified Training Centers around the country, providing Cirrus pilots with the finest training support of any general aviation aircraft.

"Cirrus has become the market leader for four-place aircraft largely because of its advanced design and sophisticated avionics," said Mark Limbach, V.P., Marketing for Fidelity. "These Cirrus simulators will provide all the same aerodynamic characteristics and avionics systems available in the actual aircraft, and provide a safe, effective training environment for Cirrus pilots."

The Fidelity Cirrus simulators will be able to replicate a SR22 or SR20 aircraft, and will additionally be able to simulate the Avidyne Entegra PFD or standard instrument displays. Fidelity is coordinating closely with Cirrus in Duluth (MN) to provide the necessary components to give the simulators the proper Cirrus look and feel. These simulators will also include a CAPS (Cirrus Airframe Parachute System) deployment scenario, and training programs will emphasize the decision making process leading to CAPS deployment.

"At Cirrus we continually seek ways to make general aviation safer -- from the safety systems we offer to the flight training programs we support", states Dale Klapmeier, executive vice president of Cirrus. "These low-cost full-motion Fidelity simulators will be an excellent complement to our Cirrus Standardized Instructor Program and Certified Training Centers by making it easier for our customers to benefit from high-quality, low cost, full-motion simulator training that has eluded our segment of general aviation."

Insurance companies recognize the impact of simulator training devices too. Bob Conyers, Assistant Vice President of General Aviation Services for Global Aerospace adds, "The introduction of simulator-based training for Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA) should enable owners of such aircraft to safely use TAA aircraft to their potential. As we have found with larger aircraft, simulator training allows the pilot and instructor to focus on scenarios that simply should not be conducted in a flying aircraft. The ability to identify a developing problem, stop its progress, provide instruction and remediate the situation is a significant training tool."

As with all MOTUS simulation devices, the simTrain Cirrus simulators will include Fidelity's all-electric six degree-of-freedom motion base and LCD Mosaic Wall external visual display. The external visual display includes a worldwide airport, nav aid and topographical database, so pilots can select the most suitable training environment.

The first of the Fidelity Cirrus simulators will be placed at LIFT Flight Training at Peachtree DeKalb Airport (PDK) in Atlanta. The other two units will be placed at Cirrus Certified Training Centers on the East and West Coast. All three initial simulators will be placed into service before the end of 2004. SimTrain may place more Cirrus simulators at additional flight schools later based on demand and as the right locations can be identified.

Mike Radomsky, president of COPA (Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association), is enthusiastic about the advanced training prospects afforded by the new type specific simulators. He commented, "COPA's primary mission is to promote safety among its members. These simulators will provide the Cirrus community with initial, transition and recurrent training scenarios that are normally found only in turbine and turbofan training. This development will afford all of us the opportunity to become better trained, more proficient pilots."

"Fidelity has always been known for affordable, full motion flight simulation," claims Limbach, "but we've also become recognized for our ability to produce highly realistic, type specific simulation devices. This is simply another example where a flight training organization found greater value in the MOTUS simulation device."

FMI: www.cirrusdesign.com