US Air Force Academy Takes on New Sim

The US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado has taken delivery of a Frasca Cirrus SR20 Flight Training Device (FTD). The FTD features a 270-degree TruVision Global wraparound visual system with a custom database, CAPS simulation, real Garmin 1000 Perspective avionics suite, electronic control loading, Simplicity Instructor operator station with a remote tablet, and more.

This will be the 14th Frasca device installed at the Air Force Academy. A Cessna 172 FTD and 12 single-engine turboprop devices have previously been in use at the academy, training cadets in their Airmanship Next program.

This program affords all fourth-class (freshman) cadets the opportunity to take Aviation 100, a 10-lesson class designed to teach the fundamentals of aviation and powered flight. The simulator will be used in Aviation 300 and Airmanship 302, a combined 30-lesson flying training course that gives graduates equivalency and credit for Introduction to Flight Training. Cadets who are interested in attending pilot training may take Aviation 400, a 20-lesson class designed to start preparing cadets for Air Force flight training. This course is conducted in a virtual T-6 Texan II, the U.S. Air Force’s primary flight training aircraft. Cadets will have the opportunity to advance their fundamental flying skills in addition to learning about more advanced skills such as formation flying and low-level navigation. Frasca has installed Cirrus devices at several other domestic and international flight training organizations, including the Japan Civil Aviation College, Western Michigan University, Cirrus Aircraft, Independence Aviation, and Lake Superior College.