Worldwide flight simulator sales strong

Family-owned Frasca International is expanding its Urbana, Illinois-based manufacturing facility “in response to strong flight simulator sales” including a contract for an unnamed helicopter operator. The addition will increase the facility’s size to accommodate two Level D full flight helicopter simulators “with large dome visual systems and Roll On Roll Off cockpit configurations,” the company said. Construction is expected to be completed by September.

Frasca also reported that it received an order for an EC135 twin-engine turbine helicopter advanced FTD from Japan’s Tokyo Aircraft Instrument Co. The relationship between the two firms includes the delivery of a similar EC135 FTD in 2016, a Model 342 helicopter simulator in 1995, and a twin-engine fixed-wing simulator in 1991. Ground training at Tokyo International Haneda Airport began in 1966.

Additional sales include a Diamond DA40 configuration to Diamond Flight Center of Texas, a Garmin G-1000-equipped Cessna 172 simulator to Ohio State University, and a similarly equipped Cessna 172 FTD to the University of Dubuque’s aviation department.

Alsim announced simulator sales to flight training schools in Europe and Asia. Flyschool Air Academy in Spain renewed its confidence in Alsim with the purchase of a second reconfigurable single-engine or multiengine piston AL250 simulator. Worldwide, 65 AL250 models are in operation.

France’s Aérofutur based near the Pyrenees mountains recently purchased an ALX model that provides up to four classes of aircraft—from single-engine piston, twin-engine piston, and twin turbine, up to medium-category twin jets similar to a Boeing 737 or Airbus A320.

The France-based company also sold an ALSR20 flight simulator that mimics a Cirrus SR20 to Germany’s IFR-Flugschule Cirrus Training Center. The device reproduces the interior and flight deck of the four-seat single and is targeted at private pilot and instrument students.