The Frasca TruFlite R44 FTD made its debut at Heli-Expo 2015 in Orlando, Fla. Frasca Photo
At HAI Heli-Expo 2015, Frasca debuted a new device aimed at ab initio helicopter flight training — the TruFlite R44 Flight Training Device (FTD). While the regulations remain in flux for helicopter simulation in initial training, Frasca feels that they are setting a benchmark by offering a high-fidelity Level 5 FTD with both visuals and electronic control loading.
To create the TruFlite R44, Frasca devoted over 40 hours to flight testing the Robinson R44, integrating the aerodynamic and systems models into a fully functional cockpit with wide-field projection visual system. A device that is reconfigurable from R44 to an R66 may also be available upon request.
Frasca’s Randy Gawenda ventured that the company’s device will prove valuable not only for reducing costs for basic helicopter training, but will also prove itself for those training objectives that cannot be safely conducted in flight, such as inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions. The TruFlite R44 is anticipated to be offered for between $300,000 and $500,000, depending upon the options selected and the avionics configuration.
Another new training device debuted by Frasca at Heli-Expo was the TruFlite Cockpit Procedures Trainer (CPT). Frasca described it as a CPT that incorporates the technology from a full flight simulator, running high fidelity aerodynamic and systems models through a simple touch screen interface.
The Sikorsky S-92 CPT on display at the show consisted of six multi-touch displays depicting cockpit displays and controls, an external visual display, and an iPad which received wireless simulated GPS data from the simulator. The device also incorporated a Universal Avionics UNS-1 Flight Management System. Although lacking flight controls, the CPT is designed to allow crews to interact with all of an aircraft’s avionics and automatic flight control systems.
Frasca is marketing the CPT to operators who need an interactive training device for crew proficiency training, to complement the training that they undergo in a certified full flight simulator. Other uses could include mission rehearsal simulation or crew procedures development.
