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| Today's Exclusive Feature | back to top |  | ||
FRASCA: THE BENEFITS AND PITFALLS OF SIMULATOR TRAINING  Simulators can affect the time and cost of flight training, and the pace of technology makes it easier than ever to access them, but if you listen to Frasca -- which has more than 50 years of experience in the simulator business -- access shouldn't be the only concern. Frasca has been in business since the mid-1950s. And, today, the company's approach focuses on two key factors: The ability of students to transfer learned skills into the cockpit; and the ability of both the school and student to maintain an acceptable financial condition throughout the process. In short, Frasca believes that when it comes to getting the most from simulator training, one size does not fit all. Moreover, says Frasca, the wrong fit can be more than inconvenient, it can introduce complications that cost both the student and school time and money. In Frasca's view, effective flight simulation should maximize the efficient transfer of skills from the simulator to the aircraft, what the company calls "transfer of training." In practice, Frasca sees the best transfer of training achieved through simulators that provide the most accurate replication of the flight environment -- the best aerodynamic simulation, the most accurate flight deck replication, and, wherever possible, integration of qualified aircraft-specific motion and visuals. In today's environment replication of the cockpit environment is even more important as more and more manufacturers are developing aircraft-specific EFIS, GPS, and FMS functions on all sorts of PFDs and MFDs. Frasca's aim is to create the environment that allows each student to most accurately and efficiently replicate the actions they will perform in the cockpit. And realism costs money. Click here to read the full article. More... |
| From the Pages of Aviation Consumer Magazine | back to top | | ||
SEATBELT
UPGRADES: NO EXCUSE FOR BAD BELTS If your seat belts are frayed or inadequate -- such as a lap belt up front -- you can fix it for a reasonable cost. Airbags cost more, but are a real aftermarket option. The FAA didn't get serious about seatbelts until 1978, and even then it was only requiring shoulder restraints for the front seats. Ten years later, they added the rear. Given how long aircraft stay in service, that means there are thousands of craft flying every day with inadequate protection for the most valuable item on board. If you're flying with only a lap belt -- shame on you. As much as some pilots don't like having belts over their shoulders, the study data has been clear for decades: 88 percent of injuries and 20 percent of fatalities can be eliminated by adding shoulder or additional restraints over lap belts alone, according to the the FAA. Click here to read the full article. More... |
| Today's Exclusive AVweb Podcast | back to top | | ||
PODCAST:
GA ACCIDENT NUMBERS ON THE RISE |
| Names Behind the News | back to top | | ||
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