Utah State University Trains with Frasca

The Aviation Program at Utah State University, part of the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Logan, will soon be adding a Frasca RTD (Reconfigurable Training Device) to their training program.

The Frasca RTD is an FAA-approved Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD). It simulates the university’s fleet of Diamond DA40 aircraft and features Frasca’s advanced aerodynamic software using flight test data, a browser/web-based instructor station, and out-the-window visual graphics for a realistic flying experience. Designed to be robust for reliability and ease of maintenance, the RTD is reconfigurable between different aircraft models. A key feature is real Garmin G1000 NXi software, which provides realistic simulation and an accurate training experience.

Aaron Dyches, Utah State University Director of Flight Operations and Chief Flight Instructor explains: “The simulator is a mock-up of the university’s fleet aircraft, the Diamond DA40, which will assist student pilots at the airport. The simulator will put student pilots in a familiar setting (the cockpit) while also putting them in unfamiliar situations including excessive crosswinds on landing, complex instrument approach procedures, and crisis situations such as simulated engine failure during a flight. This new simulator will allow student pilots to learn, perform tasks, and procedures they could execute in real aircraft without endangering themselves or the aircraft. This training will build a trigger point so if they did encounter issues in real life they will have a accurate experience to draw from.”

The G1000 NXi software enables the Frasca RTD to include Garmin’s newest features: Synthetic Vision Technology with its 3D ‘pathway’ view, terrain awareness and warning system and updatable navigation databases.