FRASCA devices help address pilot shortage

One way commercial airlines, such as Republic Airways’, are addressing the challenge creatively is by ordering and using more training devices in more places. Republic Airways Leadership in Flight Training (LIFT) Academy has recently placed an order of eight Reconfigurable Training Devices (RTDs) from Frasca, a FlightSafety International company.

John Frasca, president of the company, says the order shows how FRASCA and FlightSafety are well-positioned to meet airlines’ training needs, now and in the future. “We offer flexible and reliable solutions at every level of the training journey,” he said. The highly adaptable devices give their operators greater advantages in preparing pilots for the future.

FRASCA’s announcement with LIFT Academy comes shortly after the company saw a major investment by United Aviate Academy, which recently purchased eleven FRASCA flight simulators. FRASCA is now a major part of two of the airlines’ direct training programs and equipment.

In both cases, students benefit from a solid training background with increased time in reality-replicating and immersive simulation environments.

For LIFT, FRASCA is supplying a newly developed aircraft model for the RTD, the Diamond DA40 NG, which is powered by a jet-fuel diesel engine. This complements the previously developed model for the RTD, the Diamond DA40 XLT, which is powered by an AVGAS engine.

These provide flexible training solutions for LIFT Academy, meeting the rigorous standards for its curriculum, and keeping adaptability and dependability at the forefront. Ed Bagden, Director of Operations and Academic Programs at LIFT called FRASCA a true training partner, “supporting our programs with a level of customer service that is extremely responsive and capable.”

FRASCA joins its parent company, FlightSafety, in providing multiple training offerings for Republic and LIFT, allowing a seamless experience over aircraft model and training platforms.

“The consistency of training in all lines was a major factor in this decision,” Frasca said. “Integrating our highly configurable, highly reliable RTD products with other FlightSafety devices provides a great value to the operator, in a way that maximizes the efficiency and proficiency of the training.”

As FlightSafety continues to incorporate more real-world data into its training equipment and devices, pilots at Republic will be able to see the benefit of optimized training throughout their entire career, either through FRASCA or FlightSafety devices.

The pilot shortage is forcing the airlines and training providers to develop better methods and training equipment, with enhanced technology. That means greater efficiency in training, and more prepared pilots entering commercial service.

Republic Airways is planning to implement the FRASCA RTDs at both LIFT Academy locations in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Since its founding in 1958, more than 3,000 FRASCA simulators have been delivered worldwide, all with a reputation for high-quality simulation and effectiveness.