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.
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.
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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Unlike competitors who often start with commercially available computer games and attempt to boost fidelity from there, at Frasca, we produce our own flight modeling for our Level D full-flight simulators. We take what we learn in developing this high-level modeling and apply it down the line of our simulators.
We achieve this by investing in high fidelity in three significant ways (more…)
Q&A With ERAU Prescott, College of Aviation Flight Department, AZ Campus
FRASCA spoke with Dennis “DJ” Cassady, Flight Simulation Manager, at the ERAU Prescott campus. DJ is responsible for maintaining, updating and upgrading all flight training devices in the program.
How many students are enrolled in the program?
DJ: We have 675 students enrolled for Fall 2020 (more…)
Chad Martin took some time out to talk about the University of North Dakota’s (UND) world renown aviation program and how they successfully integrate simulators into their training.
FRASCA: Tell us about your position with UND?
CM: I’m the Fleet Manager and work on Special Projects for the program which means I manage the aircraft and simulator fleet and research products that help support our students and our mission. I’ve been with UND full time since 1999.
FRASCA: How many students do you have enrolled in your programs?
Frasca now offers Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) In and Out functionality on new simulators equipped with Garmin GTN 650 and 750. With the FAA’s ADS-B rule now in effect, pilots can learn and become proficient before taking to the skies. With an ADS-B In-equipped training device, pilots learn to manage in-flight data previously unavailable (more…)
Designed to keep your devices up to date and fully functional, Frasca’s extensive offering of customer support extends well beyond standard service. Here is a look at your options: (more…)
In the mid-2000s, the Bristow Group began operating a new generation of twin-engine IFR helicopters to support offshore oil and gas (O&G) exploration and production – the Airbus EC225, Sikorsky S- 76C++, and Sikorsky S-92. To support flight training in these new aircraft, Bristow needed top-of-the-line simulators that ensured a realistic training environment. (more…)
SimAssist™ is now Patented
Frasca’s own SimAssist™ software was recently patented. This valuable training software technology tracks a student’s task proficiency in real time, providing feedback to the instructor and automatic assistance to the student at the instructor’s discretion. (more…)
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