FRASCA International and HNZ Group Announce Simulator Program

FRASCA International, Inc, Urbana, IL has contracted with HNZ Group Inc. Montreal, Canada for the supply of an AS350 Level 7 Flight Training Device. The FTD will be convertible between three different configurations of the aircraft including the AS350B2 analog instrument panel, the AS350B2 VEMD instrument panel and the AS350B3e VEMD instrument panel. This will be the first Level 7 Flight Training Device certified in Canada.

The AS350B FTD will be installed inside the airport terminal at Edmonton International Airport and will be used for initial and recurrent training for pilots flying demanding missions in remote areas of Canada. It will also be made available for training use by other Canadian helicopter operators.

Features of the FTD include FRASCA TruVision(TM) Global visual system with projection display in a totally enclosed spherical screen (200degree x 70degree field of view). Databases including the Edmonton area and specialized training scenarios at various locations in Canada will be provided. The FTD will also include a vibration platform, Graphical Instructor Station (GISt(TM)), and cargo mirror simulation.

"It is gratifying to announce this innovative project with Canadian Helicopters. Their plan to incorporate this advanced FTD into their program will enhance training and improve safety. This program should become a model for other helicopter operators throughout the world. We also see great potential to expose simulation and aviation safety to the general public as result of the simulator being located in the Edmonton International airport." stated John Frasca, President of FRASCA International. HNZ's President and CEO, Don Wall, said "we are pleased to partner with FRASCA and EIA in order to bring this FTD to western Canada. We believe that the introduction of this device into our training program will enhance our industry leading safety standards for the benefit of our crews and customers. Synthetic training is recognized by Transport Canada and our major customers as being a highly effective tool, and this FTD represents the very leading edge of technology in simulated flight. As a result of this acquisition, we will realize significant safety as well as environmental and economic benefits, and we expect that other operators in the industry will also want to avail of this opportunity."

HNZ Group Inc., through its subsidiaries, has been a helicopter operator in Canada for over 65 years and light helicopter operations constitutes a significant portion of hours flown. Western Canadian crews are currently trained at the company's facilities at EIA. HNZ employs over 60 AS350 aircraft in its fleet throughout Canada, Asia-Pacific and Antarctica and is pleased to expand on the flight training community at EIA with this acquisition.