Robinson R44, Cessna 172 Sims To Be Available For Fall 2016 Semester

Southern Utah University’s (SUU) School of Business has purchased Frasca FTD Flight Simulators for the Robinson R44 Helicopter with the Garmin G-500 avionics package and the Cessna 172 Airplane with the Garmin G-1000 avionics package, enabling students in the SUU Aviation Professional Pilot Program to take advantage of the valuable training benefits beginning fall semester 2016.

Designed for, among others, flight schools and commercial operators, the Frasca R44 FTD Flight Simulator and Cessna 172 FTD Flight Simulator being added to SUU’s aviation program recreate the experience of flying the Robinson R44 helicopter and Cessna 172 airplane in exacting detail. The cockpit of the simulators match their respective aircraft, complete with all the controls and instrumentation.

Among the Frasca R44 simulator’s features are realistic control pressures provided by Frasca’s TruFeel control loading system; a specialized database of helicopter training missions through Frasca’s TruVision Global visual system; and the ability to adapt into a Sikorsky S300 by removing the Robinson T style cyclic and adding a pair of S300 cyclics.

In addition to featuring a Garmin G-1000 avionics package, the Frasca Cessna 172 simulator also features an advanced Electronic Control Loading system and Frasca’s TruVision visual system which provides students with highly realistic visual training environments.

“Simulators provide excellent supplemental training where new concepts and complicated procedures can be performed in a controlled environment," said Rich Cannon, school director and chief flight instructor at SUU. "Training can be paused as needed to allow for immediate feedback and instruction.”

“Over the past few years, we’ve had customers mention that the fidelity of existing light helicopter simulators was inadequate and limited transfer of learning," said John Frasca, President of Frasca International. "We listened and determined that a high fidelity device with FTD Level 5 approval was needed. Our engineers were able to incorporate the fidelity and quality of our Full Flight Simulators into an entry level FTD. With this incredibly accurate R44 FTD, we have elevated the level of simulation available for this class of aircraft which allows more training to be performed in the simulator.”

The two simulators are expected to be fully installed and ready for students to use beginning with the fall semester 2016.

(Image provided with Frasca news release)

FMI: www.frasca.com