U.S.-based training provider FlightSafety International (FSI) arrives at MEBAA 2018 riding a wave of recent program developments that expand its training solutions and brings some nearer to Middle East operators.
FSI (Stand 449) announced in October the Dassault FalconEye Combined Vision System HUD has been incorporated into its Falcon 8X and Falcon 2000LXS simulators in Paris, as well as its Falcon 900LX simulator in Dallas in the U.S. FalconEye HUD combines synthetic, database-driven terrain mapping and actual thermal and low-light camera images into a single view that provides a greatly improved level of situational awareness to flight crews in all conditions. The course, which includes ground school and simulator training, addresses normal and abnormal operations, operating procedures and limitations in all phases of flight.
In October FSI also became the first company to provide Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (EFVS) to Touchdown and Rollout training for the Gulfstream G500 and other Gulfstream aircraft equipped with the Rockwell Collins HUD II and Kollsman (Elbit) EVS-II and EVS-SP. Certification for Gulfstream EFVS operations for landing and rollout enables appropriately authorized FAA-registered Part 135 operators to dispatch and begin instrument approaches when visibilities are lower than the published approach minimums using the Visual Advantage concept. Part 91 operators are also eligible for the letter of authorization. The stand-alone, FAA-approved course is offered for operators and crews on Gulfstream aircraft that have achieved EFVS to Touchdown and Rollout certification.
FSI also announced that same month the recent commencement of training for the newly introduced Gulfstream G500 and forthcoming G600 at its Savannah Learning Center, welcome news to regional operators awaiting delivery of one of the jets. The 23-day Gulfstream G500 and G600 common type-rating course uses two full-motion simulators and three new FAA level 4 qualified advanced graphical flight-deck simulators. Pilots receive 46 hours of classroom instruction, 18 hours of systems integration, eight hours in the flight training devices and 24 hours of simulator time before check ride. The curriculum reflects a reduction in classroom time and an increase in SIT and scenario-based training.
With the Pilatus PC-24 entering service, FSI will offer training for the twinjet at its Learning Center in Paris, France, representing the company’s second PC-24 simulator and training location. Equipped with a Honeywell Primus Apex avionics suite, the simulator will incorporate synthetic vision and is expected to be qualified to level D and enter service by the end of 2019. Design and manufacture of the new FS1000 PC-24 sim are under way at FlightSafety’s Tulsa, Oklahoma simulator facility.
FSI is also highlighting in Dubai the ongoing expansion of its EASA Phased Recurrent Training program, now available at most FlightSafety locations that provide EASA training, including Farnborough and Paris.
In other developments of regional import since MEBAA 2016, last year FSI launched the only factory-authorized Gulfstream G650 training program located close to operators in the Middle East. Using the fifth Gulfstream G650 simulator built by FlightSafety, the EASA- and FAA-qualified level D device is installed at FSI’s Farnborough Learning Center. It features tightly integrated computer hardware and software across subsystems that allow more accurate and higher fidelity simulation than found in other current and previous generation simulators.
Sadly, October also marked the passing of Bruce Whitman, FSI’s longtime chairman, president, CEO, and guiding light. David Davenport and Ray Johns, both distinguished company veterans, will lead the company as co-CEOs. Davenport will also serve as president, commercial, and Johns as president, government and manufacturing.
In 2014 FSI and Abu Dhabi Aviation signed an MOU to establish a learning center in Abu Dhabi, with a first phase of the facility slated to open in September 2015, but plans appear unfulfilled and FSI declined to provide an update on the project.