Avidyne and Frasca to Advance Light GA Training Infrastructure With Entegra Sim

Avidyne has partnered with Frasca International, Inc. to develop a version of Frasca’s Mentor™ advanced training simulator featuring Avidyne’s Entegra integrated flight deck system. The Frasca Mentor now gives flight schools a high-quality simulator for primary and advanced training for using the widely adopted Avidyne system for light general aviation aircraft. The system is being demonstrated during AirVenture 2005 at Avidyne booth #2100 in Building B.

The Frasca Mentor with Avidyne Entegra features consists of two 10.4-inch diagonal, high-resolution, sunlight-readable displays, including an EXP5000 primary flight display (PFD) and an EX5000 multi-function display (MFD). While compact in size, the Mentor uses much of the same technology as Frasca’s higher level Flight Training Devices (FTDs) and Full Flight Simulators (FFSs) including an FAA-approved flight data package, Jeppesen Navdata, full-size flight controls including rudder pedals and brakes, Graphical Instructors Station (GISt), multi-channel sound simulation, and TruVisionTM visual system with optional visual display systems. GISt gives instructors complete control of the simulation environment and monitors the pilot's performance through graphical mapping programs. Lesson plans automatically control the simulator by triggering events based on conditions such as time, altitude, and other factors.

“The Mentor is not only a task trainer for Entegra-equipped aircraft, it is a highly capable flight simulation system for the new generation of integrated avionics,” said John Frasca, Vice President of Frasca International. “Avidyne’s role as the pioneer and continuing innovator of the integrated flight deck makes it a strong partner for Frasca as we deliver what is an ideal training simulator for flight schools that are fulfilling the training needs of today and for the future.”

According to the AOPA Air Safety Foundation’s 2005 Special Report on Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA), TAA with integrated flight deck instrumentation such as Avidyne’s Entegra deliver increased “available safety” because of the ability to display information to the pilot in an efficient and intuitive manner.

“The Frasca Mentor simulator with the Entegra system gives flight schools a powerful tool for training new pilots and pilots transitioning from conventional instrumentation, but also for familiarizing flight instructors with the advanced capabilities of the Avidyne system,” said Mark Sandeen Avidyne’s vice president of sales and marketing. “The Frasca-Avidyne partnership is especially notable because it combines Frasca’s decades of expertise in building leading-edge flight simulation training systems with Avidyne’s unmatched experience in integrated flight deck systems for light GA aircraft.”

The Frasca Mentor Trainer is approved for training under Federal Aviation Regulations Part 61 including for logging flight experience and instrument experience, for Instrument Proficiency Checks, for use in the Instrument Rating Practical Test, for a maximum of 20 hours training for the Instrument Rating, a maximum of 2.5 hours for the Private Pilot certificate, a maximum of 50 hours for the Commercial Pilot certificate, or a maximum of 25 hours toward the Airline Transport Pilot certificate. The Mentor trainer also is approved for use under Part 141 as limited by Part 141 appendices.

“Avidyne is extending its leadership in the industry to advance the training infrastructure for the integrated flight deck for light GA,” said Avidyne President Dan Schwinn. “With the accelerating adoption of Avidyne integrated flight decks in a wide range of aircraft from entry-level trainers to turbine-powered business aircraft, it is important to the entire industry to develop training methods and systems that will enable pilots to gain the maximum safety and utility from the new generation of aircraft.”

FMI: www.frasca.com, www.avidyne.com