First FAA-Approved Flight Sim Featuring Full-Stall Model for Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines has become the first commercial airline in the world to receive FAA certification of an enhanced full-stall model in a flight simulator, which helps pilots train to recognize and recover from a full aerodynamic stall.

In advance of the 2019 deadline set by the FAA, Alaska Airline's simulator engineering group completed the upgrade and certification process for one of its 737-800 simulators with a StallBox. The StallBox together with a set of instructor-led tools allows the simulator to more closely mimic the acutal aircraft in a similar situation, making sure pilots are well-equipped if they ever encounter a full stall in real life. The Birhle Applied Research product meets the FAA's newly enhanced requirements for "upset prevention and recovery training".

"Safety remains our top priority and ensuring we have cutting edge training for our pilots helps us to maintain our industry-leading position," said Tom Kemp, Alaska Airlines' vice president of flight operations. "This project has been in the works for two years and is an example of how we continually strive to be ahead of the curve and go beyond the industry requirements to deliver excellence and ensure a safe operation."

"The Air Line Pilots Association, working with Alaska, supports this valuable and ahead-of-schedule improvement to the first of Alaska's simulators," said Doug Branch, chairman of the Human Factors and Training Committee for the Alaska Master Executive Committee for the Alaska Master Executive Council of the Air Line Pilots Association. "This investment illustrates the value Alaska puts on providing industry-leading training, which leads to enhanced safety for our passengers and crews. We look forward to the benefits this enhanced training tool will provide, and applaud Alaska for moving so quickly to implement it."