Frasca Newsroom - 2011 - Current
German Federal Police Order Frasca Helicopter FTDs
Frasca International has contracted with the NATO Maintenance & Supply Agency (NAMSA) to deliver two new Helicopter Flight Training Devices (FTDs) to the German Federal Police (BPOL) for the Eurocopter EC155 and AS332 helicopters and to upgrade BPOL’s existing Frasca-built Eurocopter EC135 FTD to have common technical standards with the new FTDs.
All three devices will get a qualification according to the new EASA rules by the LBA after being installed by Frasca at BPOL’s new Simulator Centre in Sankt Augustin, Germany which is scheduled to open in July of 2013. BPOL received dual certification for their existing EC-135 helicopter device as a JAR-FSTD H FTD 2 and FNPT III MCC in July of 2009. The first new device will be delivered in 2013.
Features of the two new FTDs will include; NVG cockpit, visual display and Instructor Operator Station (IOS), control loading, realistic vibration cues, daylight illumination, 200° x 68° visual display with auto alignment, geo-specific visual database for all of Germany including airports, hospitals, and maritime features, civil SAR & police mission training, cockpit video (full frontal view), 3rd IOS monitor for video, chase plane view, instrument repeaters, etc., separate debriefing stations, and more. The upgraded EC135 FTD will include all of the features of the new FTDs except NVG compatibility. (February 8, 2012)
AW139 Qualified
The Frasca/Agusta AW139 FTD for Era Training Center, Lake Charles, LA has received Level 6 Qualification. Another great effort from the Frasca team! Frasca and Era Training Center (ETC) are pleased to announce that their first AW139 flight simulation training device (FSTD) has been FAA-certified as a Level 6 FSTD. This certification will allow helicopter operators to conduct AW139 training in ETC’s device under CFR Part 61 or train in the FSTD with their own instructors.
ETC’s AW139 FSTD has the latest flight software for the AW139 flight management system (FMS) and replicates the aircraft in every detail. A high-fidelity simulation of the helicopter’s flight characteristics and a high-performance electric control loading system, providing high fidelity control forces, gives pilots a realistic “flying” experience. To add to the reality, the FSTDs have a high-fidelity simulation of the avionics and helicopter systems (engine, fuel, etc.) based on true aircraft data and a digital sound system for both instructor/crew communication providing realistic aircraft and equipment aural cues.
The FSTD’s visual system provides high-resolution imagery with a 200 x 70 degree field of view presented on a spherical screen using TruVision™ Global, featuring worldwide coverage. The base map includes over 10,000 runways, coastlines, and other geographic features, allowing line-oriented flight training (LOFT) that is unparalleled.
The FSTD has an Instructor Operating System (IOS) located behind the crew seats that allows the instructor to monitor crew training and control simulation. Control functionality includes scenario and sortie definition, malfunction injection and parameter freeze via a highly flexible and user-friendly workstation designed to optimize instructor workload.
Together with the addition of the AW139 FSTD ETC has expanded its Lake Charles, Louisiana facility by over 30%, with two new simulator bays (one for a future device), briefing/debriefing rooms and additional office and classroom space.
The AW139 is one of the leading medium-size helicopters in the civil market, with more than 300 currently operating worldwide and more than 200 additional AW139s currently on order.
Marc Schechter, General Manager of Era Training Center, said, “We are excited that we now have the second AW139 FSTD in North America to receive FAA certification. With the resounding popularity of this type of aircraft, the demand for AW139 training has been surging.”
AgustaWestland, as prime contractor, partnered with Frasca International, Inc. (Frasca) to support the development and production of the FSTDs, with work carried out at Frasca’s facilities in the U.S. and at AgustaWestland’s facilities in Sesto Calende, Italy. Frasca built the two FSTDs currently offered for training programs by ETC.
About Era Training Center
Era Training Center (ETC), a joint venture between Era Group Inc. and Frasca International, and provides sophisticated, multidisciplinary helicopter flight training through innovative programs and state-of-the-art Flight Simulator Training Devices (FSTDs). ETC holds a CFR Part 142 Certificate, designating it as an FAA-approved training center, and also is certified by ANAC, the aviation authority of Brazil. ETC’s existing Lake Charles, Louisiana facility features two FAA-approved Level 6 FSTDs, the EC135 P2+ and the AS350B2, designed by Frasca International to provide exact cockpit replication for both single-pilot and dual-pilot IFR configuration.
ETC offers diverse training programs that are provided to a wide array of helicopter personnel, including corporate, oil and gas, EMS, ENG, law enforcement, government and military users. (December 14, 2011)
Kyungwon University Selects Frasca
Kyungwon University, Republic of Korea has selected Frasca to provide a Cessna 172S Level 6 Flight Training Device. (November 14, 2011)
S76 FFS for Bristow Helicopters
Frasca International Inc. has contracted to sell Houston-based Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: BRS) a Sikorsky S76 Level B Full Flight Simulator (FFS) which will also be qualified Level 3 Flight Training Device to CAA standards. In addition to the S76 device, Frasca has delivered two Level B Full Flight Simulators (FFSs) for the Eurocopter EC225 and Sikorsky S-92 aircraft. The simulators are in use at in training operations in Aberdeen, Scotland.
The S76 FFS will feature six axis electric motion, dome visual, vibration platform, and touch screen instructor operator station (IOS). The program also includes Frasca’s aircraft flight test service to collect the simulator data package. The simulator is scheduled for delivery in April of 2013.
"We at Frasca are very excited to continue to work with Bristow Group as we continue building more advanced devices and incorporating our latest technology into these devices. We believe that our investment in technology, our excellent customer service and the outstanding people in our organization combined to make this relationship with the Bristow Group succeed. It's apparent from this purchase that Bristow is a true leader in helicopter training, and we look forward to working with them," commented John Frasca, President of Frasca International, Inc.
ABOUT BRISTOW GROUP INC.
Bristow Group Inc. is the leading provider of helicopter services to the worldwide offshore energy industry based on the number of aircraft operated. Through its subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures, the Company has major transportation operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea, and in most of the other major offshore oil and gas producing regions of the world, including Alaska, Australia, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia and Trinidad. Additionally, the Company is a leading provider of production management services for oil and gas production facilities in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.bristowgroup.com. (November 4, 2011)
Sporty's Selects Frasca
Sporty's Academy , Cincinnati, OH, will soon be getting a Mentor™ Cessna 172S AATD. Sporty's has been educating pilots for nearly 50 years. Sporty's offers FAA-approved training courses, safe, modern airplanes and an experienced staff of certified instructors. (November 1, 2012)
East African Academy Adds 172 FNPT II
The East African Civil Aviation Academy, Soroti, Uganda, has ordered a Frasca 172S FNPTII STD. The facility provides training through instrument and multiengine ratings. (October 26, 2011)
Frasca Simulators Installed in Afghanistan as part of USAF/Afghan Air Force Cessna Contract.
Six Frasca flight simulators installed in portable trailers have been delivered to the Shindand Air Force Base in Afghanistan for use by the Afghanistan National Army Air Corps for training. As part of a contract with Cessna Aircraft, Frasca completed and delivered the simulators to the USAF/Afghan Air Force.
The flight simulators include two Cessna 208B Caravan Level 5 FTDs, two Cessna T182T Skylane Level 5 FTDs and two Cessna T182T Skylane BATDs, each housed in their own portable trainer complete with TruVision™ visual systems with customized databases including several areas of Afghanistan as well as instructor operator and debriefing stations. Final acceptance of the devices took placeplace the last week in September and the devices were ready for training starting on October 3rd.
Frasca also supplied FTDs to Iraq in 2008. Nine units are installed at the Kirkuk Air Base in Iraq for use by the US Air Force in training the Iraqi Air Force. The FTDs are being 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.
Frasca is very active in the military flight simulation market and continues to supply a wide range of flight simulation products to military organizations worldwide. (October 13, 2011)
Korean Forestry Service Selects Frasca
The Korean Forestry Service has selected Frasca to provide an AS250B2 Level 7 helicopter flight training device (FTD). (Oct. 10, 2011)
Frasca to Bring Mentor AATD to UAA Fall Meeting
Frasca will display a Mentor™ AATD at the UAA (University Aviation Association) Fall meeting, Sept. 28-30 in Indianapolis, IN. The Mentor™, configured as a Cessna 172 with Garmin G1000 will be interfaced with CSCs NexSim™ radar simulator to emulate live ATC operations. (Sept. 21, 2011)
MTSU Uses Frasca CRJ FTD in FOCUS Lab
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), Murfreesboro, has begun using their newly qualified Frasca Level 5 CRJ Flight Training Device (FTD) at their Flight Operations Center – Unified Simulation (FOCUS) Lab. The lab has developed a training curriculum that will prepare the next generation of aviation professionals in a real-world environment and enable employees to perform better on the job from the first day of hire.
The Frasca CRJ 200 Level 5 FTD is networked into MTSU’s FOCUS lab and Ramp Tower using “middleware” jointly developed by Frasca and CSC. Students will fly the CRJ from gate-to-gate, while students in the FOCUS lab dispatch the flight and monitor the flight in real time dealing with unusual situations as they arise. The pilots in the CRJ will speak directly to the FOCUS lab through an ACARS system while in full operation. The pilots can talk with maintenance personnel in real time about maintenance issues and system malfunctions. This opens a new door for flight simulation. In a real way the Frasca flight training device, long known for its pilot training, now also becomes a maintenance trainer and a dispatch trainer and a scheduling trainer. The addition of the CRJ makes the FOCUS lab simulation “all up” with every facet of flight operations included in the simulation.
According to Dr. Paul A. Craig, a Professor at Middle Tennessee State University’s Aerospace Department, “by integrating our ATC simulator into our CRJ flight simulator, the FOCUS Lab allows us to prepare the next generation of aviation professionals in a real-world environment and enables employees to perform better on the job from the first day of hire. The partnership developed between MTSU and Frasca will surely spark a revolution in aviation education.”
About the MTSU FOCUS Lab:
From 2003 through 2007, MTSU worked in partnership with NASA to conduct research into new pilot training techniques and equipment. The research included scenario-based training, combination Private and Instrument certification, the use of glass cockpit aircraft and a glass cockpit Frasca Diamond 40 flight training device. In 2010, a new NASA partnership was formed. Researchers at MTSU wanted to take the gains and discoveries made with scenarios beyond pilot training to the entire aviation curriculum.
The MTSU / NASA research team has built a replica of an airline’s Flight Operation Center on the MTSU campus. Students are divided up into teams when the course begins. Every team has at least one member who will soon be graduating in one of the MTSU Aerospace concentrations: Professional Pilot, Maintenance Management, Technology, Flight Dispatch, Administration or Air Traffic Control. Then, instead of going to class, one team at a time reports to the FOCUS lab and “works a three hour shift.” During the three hours the students operate “Universal E-Lines” which is a virtual airline that operates in the Southeastern United States to 14 cities.
The basic research of the project involves the interactions between these future aviation professionals. These interactions can produce smooth and safe operations for passengers, profits for employers and economic benefits for the national and the world – or these interactions can yield chaos, frustration and loss of revenue.
Today, students are being trained in various disciplines of aviation in isolated clusters. The pilots train with pilots, the maintenance technicians with other technicians, dispatchers with dispatchers, controllers with controllers, and so forth. Prospective employees are coming to the job market through independent “silos” of training, but this training does not always reflect the way operations run in the real world. Once students enter the job market, they realize that success and efficiency depend on cross-disciplinary communications and understanding. By dismantling the silos, we prepare the next generation of aviation professionals in a real-world environment and enable employees to perform better on the job from the first day of hire. (Sept. 16, 2011)
GLASS Simulator Center Adds Citation FTD to Sim Fleet
GLASS Simulator Center has added a Frasca Cessna Citatation II Flight Training Device (FTD) to their stable of Frasca simulators at their facility in Aurora, IL. In addition to their new FTD, they currently use a Mentor™, TruFlite™, TruFliteH™ helicopter simulator, KingAir FTD and an SR22FTD, (Sept. 12, 2011)
John Frasca Appointed President/CEO of Frasca International
John Frasca has been appointed President and CEO of Frasca International, Inc. following the announcement that founder Rudy Frasca has retired from the active management of the company. Rudy continues to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Frasca International.
John Frasca has served as the company’s Vice President since 2003 and has gradually taken over more of his father’s duties in recent years as Rudy and his wife Lucille enjoyed semi-retirement and spending time with their grandchildren. John has worked for the family-owned company since 1972, when he began performing various tasks around the factory after school. John studied Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois and was instrumental in directing the technical evolution of Frasca flight trainers from the pioneering mechanical analog designs developed by his father into the modern digital electronic designs that dominate the world’s pilot training market today. Promoted to Vice President of Operations in 1986, John Frasca has been responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company for the past 25 years and has overseen its transition from a small specialty manufacturer of general aviation oriented training devices to one of the world’s premier flight simulator suppliers.
Frasca’s management team and goals remain unchanged. According to John Frasca “we will continue to provide the highest quality flight simulators through innovative engineering, quality manufacturing, sound management and unmatched customer service. We expect continued growth based on increased market share as well as expansion into new segments of the flight training industry.” Frasca International, Inc. is owned by the Frasca family, which includes the founders, Rudy and Lucile Frasca and their children; Mary Johnson, John Frasca, Tom Frasca, Bob Frasca, Peggy Prichard, Liz Berry and David Frasca. (September 1, 2011)