Story ID: 374 Frasca
Frasca Shows New Training Devices and Technologies
By: AIN Staff
Caption: Frasca’s engineers were able to incorporate the fidelity and quality of its full flight simulators into an entry-level FTD.
Word Count: 357
Frasca International of Urbana, Ill., is showing two helicopter flight training devices (FTDs) and introducing three new technologies at Heli-Expo 2015.

The first is a high-fidelity TruFlite FTD with FAA level 5 approval for the Robinson R44. “Our engineers were able to incorporate the fidelity and quality of our full-flight simulators into an entry-level FTD,” said John Frasca, president of Frasca International.

The TruFlite R44 cockpit is a replica of the helicopter’s cockpit with panels, controls and instrumentation. Control pressures are simulated by the company’s TruFeel control loading system and the visual system is Frasca’s TruVision. The FTD can easily be converted for Sikorsky S300 training by removing the T-style cyclic and adding two S300-style cyclics.

The other training device on display is a TruFlite cockpit procedures trainer (CPT), which can be configured for many different aircraft. The one on display this week here in Orlando is configured for the Sikorsky S-92. It uses touch-screen monitors that are spatially oriented to represent the helicopter’s main instrument panel, center console and overhead panels.

The CPT allows two pilots to activate multiple switches at the same time. An actual FMS keypad allows for tactile simulation of the FMS system, which provides better feedback when entering FMS data. “We developed the TruFlite CPT in response to our customers’ need to perform procedures training without incurring the cost of an FTD or [full flight simulator],” Frasca said.

Frasca is also introducing three new technologies to enhance simulator training: SimTracker; SimAssist; and TruCue. The cloud-based SimTracker utility helps users manage their flight simulators and meet regulatory quality management needs.

The SimAssist software module measures a pilot’s task proficiency in real time and provides variable assistance to optimize training. The system can provide active or passive assistance, record the student’s proficiency over time and provide real-time feedback to the instructor.

TruCue is a new cueing and vibration system for FTDs. Based on technology used in Frasca’s level D full-flight simulator, it provides six-degrees-of-freedom motion to provide critical vestibular feedback to pilots.