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.”