Frasca International & Epic Flight Academy have collaborated to create a new modernized ab-initio program utilizing Frasca MCS simulator (motion cueing system) and Epic Fight Academy pilot training curriculum. The program with a focus on enhancing the private pilot portion of training has proven successful, students who complete the program earn their private pilot’s license with only 35 to 40 aircraft hours, which is 50% less than the national average of above 70 hours in aircraft, some university reporting 100 flight hours.
April 8, 2021 URBANA, IL. – FRASCA International, Inc. (FRASCA) has been named as a subcontractor for the US Navy TH-73A Aircrew Training Services (ATS) Contract. The prime contract was awarded to FlightSafety Defense, a FlightSafety International Company that will provide Contractor Instructional Services (CIS) and availability on 18 FRASCA-designed and manufactured Level 6 and Level 7 Flight Training Devices (FTDs).
Image generators and visual databases will be supplied by FlightSafety Defense Corporations subcontractor Aechelon Technologies. The devices will be used to support all aspects of initial entry rotary wing training, including hover, formation flight, night vision device, and shipboard operations training, as well as course rules familiarity and instrument flying. (more…)
March 1, 2021 Urbana, IL. FRASCA International, Inc (FRASCA) will be expanding their manufacturing facility in response to strong flight simulator sales including a contract for a Level D Full Flight Simulator (FFS) for an undisclosed helicopter operator. FRASCA currently operates out of an 85,000 square foot office and manufacturing facility which includes two additional outbuildings at their manufacturing facility in Urbana, Illinois.
What does it take to make great, hi-fidelity flight simulators, true to the aircraft? There are a lot of answers to that question, but one answer might be a realistic flight model that can reproduce aircraft performance, flight dynamics, handling qualities and control feel throughout the operational envelope. At Frasca, the Aeronautical Engineering team is responsible for making those things happen, and one of the invaluable capabilities that we rely on to that end is flight testing. By flight testing the aircraft we seek to replicate, we acquire the needed data to make the sim fly like the aircraft.
February 24, 2021 Urbana, IL. FRASCA International, Inc (FRASCA) has received an order for an EC135 Level 5 Flight Training Device (FTD) from TKK (Tokyo Aircraft Instrument Co.), Tokyo, Japan.
The FTD will include some very advanced features including a visual system with five (5) 70 inch flat panel HDTV monitors mounted in front of the cockpit Two displays are mounted on both the Pilot and Copilot sides to provide a large vertical field of view, and a single display is mounted directly in front of the cockpit. The device will also feature FRASCAs Vibration system which provides vibration cues of variable amplitude and frequency to simulate realistic feel during flight. The system consists of electric motors and associated electronics mounted on the base frame, driven by real time host commands.
How Much Does a Frasca Flight Simulator Cost?
This is a great question and one we get more than any other. The quick answer is that price depends on several factors; training needs, the aircraft type, the level of the device qualification (FAA, JAA or equivalent), device features and more. Due to the wide range of flight simulation products available, the cost can range from several thousand dollars to several million. To get a more accurate answer, let’s dig a little deeper by breaking this down to product levels.
VERO BEACH, Fla., February 2, 2021 – Piper Aircraft announced today that exclusive factory training provider for the M600, Legacy Flight Training, has taken delivery of a Frasca M600/SLS Simulator. Training using the new type specific device began on February 1, 2021.
The flight simulator uses a Piper sourced M600 fuselage, pilot seating, sub panels, switching and flight controls which enables real world, model specific training for all M600 aircraft. The Frasca built training device features M600 type specific Garmin G3000 avionics with Piper’s HALO ™ safety system, inflight stability protection, level mode and auto throttle system. The simulator also features a multi-channel projection system with wrap around visuals creating a realistic training experience. (more…)
The US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO has taken delivery of a FRASCA Cirrus SR20 Flight Training Device (FTD). The FTD features a 270-degree TruVision Global wraparound visual system with a custom database, CAPS simulation, real Garmin 1000 Perspective avionics suite, electronic control loading, Simplicity Instructor operator station with a remote tablet, and more. (more…)
December 14, 2020 –– Bend, OR and Urbana, IL –– Epic Aircraft has selected FRASCA International to build the first simulator for their E1000 GX Flight Training Program. The simulator will be built around an authentic Epic aircraft cockpit, featuring the actual Garmin G1000 NXi Avionics Suite and the Garmin GFC 700 Automated Flight Control System. The simulator will offer a three‐channel visual system with 220 x 58‐degree spherical enclosure, custom visual databases, instructor operator station (IOS), and more. The simulator is scheduled to be installed at Epic’s Flight Training Center in Bend, Oregon, by the fall of 2021. (more…)
Haley Konfrst, an IR student at Epic Flight Academy, experiencing Epic’s newest simulator, a FRASCA Cessna 172 Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) with FRASCA’s Motion Cueing System for fixed-wing devices (FMCS-FX)
FRASCA spoke with Dr. Cindy Lovell, Director of Education at Epic Flight Academy, about the flight school’s growing fleet of FRASCA Advanced Aviation Training Devices (AATD). Epic recently became the first flight school in the world to take delivery of a FRASCA Cessna 172 AATD with FRASCA’s Motion Cueing System for fixed-wing devices (FMCS-FX). https://epicflightacademy.com/
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