The Federal Aviation Administration has given Level 3
certification to a Frasca Helicopter Flight Training Device (FTD) owned by
Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. of Lafayette, LA., making it the first FAA Level 3
certified helicopter FTD in the world. The FTD, which simulates Bell 412,
received FAA qualification on February 25, 2004. Level 3 qualification allows
for training and checking credits for all items under Practical Test Standards
(PTS) in addition to special procedures such as OSAP and GPS approaches.
The FTD, built by Frasca International, Inc. features a full
scale cockpit, complete instrumentation, electric control loading, sound
simulation, and Frasca’s new TruVisionTM 220 visual display
system. Simulation of many emergency procedures is possible and are activated
from the Instructors station. TruVision 220 provides a 220 degree horizontal
field of view which allows training in many VFR maneuvers. PHI also operates
FTDs for the Bell 206 and Bell 407, both are Level I FTDs manufactured by
Frasca and were delivered along with the Bell 412 FTD in 2003.
Frasca has also received FNPT I approval on their Model 135,
single engine helicopter FTD owned and operated by Avia Training AS of
Sandefjord, of Norway. This is the first low cost helicopter device to receive
FNPT I approval.
Frasca International will be exhibiting at Heli-Expo, March
15-17, in Las Vegas, NV. A special presentation by the FAA will take place in
the Frasca booth (#1829) on the morning of March 16.
