Frasca simulator for RCAF training

A Frasca International Flight Training Device (FTD) for the Bell CH-139 helicopter will be supplied to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) under an order announced on 3 March.

The Level 7 FTD will be used by the RCAF's No 3 Flying Training School (3 FTS). The device was ordered by Bluedrop Training and Simulation, a sub-contractor on the RCAF's Contracted Flying Training and Support programme at Portage la Prairie Southport airport in southern Manitoba.

The CH-139 Jet Ranger is the Canadian designation for the Bell 206B. All RCAF pilots receive their primary fixed-wing aircraft training at Southport and those selected to fly helicopters return to the school for the six month phase III helicopter programme that uses the Bell CH-139 Jet Ranger and the Bell 412CF Outlaw helicopters.

The new FTD include's Frasca's 6 Degree of Freedom motion cueing system optimised for helicopter simulation; and will integrate a FlightSafety VITAL 1100 visual image generation system with a Frasca 220°x67° field of view visual display.

The device will allow trainees to safely practice realistic helicopter emergencies in variety of regions and weather conditions and prepare pilots for winter 'white out' conditions in blowing snow. It will also allow flight training to continue when the helicopter fleet is grounded by bad weather.

The FTD will be installed by Bluedrop by March 2018 and ready for training by April.