The Bismarck Public School district Career Academy Center is located on the campus of Bismarck State College. The Center enrolls 900 students annually from nine public and private high schools in the area. The Center provides students with quality education in career and technical programs including high-wage, high-demand technical training, academic integration and alignment with post-secondary education. About 90 students are currently attending aviation courses at the Career Academy.

“This device will help us train students in a realistic environment,” said Mike McHugh, a UND Aviation alum and Career Academy instructor. ” The FTD includes all functioning instruments and controls identical to the aircraft and comes with a realistic visual display system.”

“The simulator will fuel the passion of students using it,” said Bruce Smith, dean of the Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. “High school programs like this are critical to our future. They give us an opportunity to get young men and women interested in aviation, and they give students the academic foundation they need to succeed in aviation in college.”

By Juan Miguel Pedraza
Writer/Editor, UND Office of University Relations
701-777-6571 office 701-740-1321 cell
Source: UND donates aviation training device

More info on UND Aviation Programs:

Flight Training
Helicopter Training
Air Traffic Controller Program
UAS Program

FlightSafety International has been granted level 7 approval for their Bell 407 FTD.

Flight training provider FlightSafety International is now home to a level 7 Bell 407 advanced flight training device. The FAA recently granted the organization’s Bell 407 FTD Level 7 status, the highest level of flight training device issued.

Level seven FTDs replicate the cockpit, control feel, and aerodynamic handling of specific models of aircraft as well as visual elements of flight via a high level simulation program. Beyond level 7, devices progress into full motion simulators and are given a letter designation, such as the multi-million dollar level D simulators used by airlines. Simulators and flight training devices are popular for training thanks to their cost-effectiveness compared to operating actual aircraft. Even the more expensive high level devices, which may cost as much as the actual aircraft, cost pennies to operate compared to fuel, maintenance, and insurance costs required to operate the real thing. Additionally, students and instructors can benefit from the flexibility of flight training devices which enable users to jump to specific points in a flight.

FlightSafety’s Bell 407 FTD is located at their Lafayette, Louisiana Learning Center. FlightSafety plans to use the device for initial and recurrent type training as well as training VFR pilots for flight into instrument conditions. Additionally, they can simulate a number of scenarios such as those undertaken by EMS and law enforcement operators or news organizations. This capability will enable FlightSafety to train pilots for real-world uses of the popular Bell 407. Perhaps the most significant use of the device is in training for emergency situations that cannot be safely replicated in the aircraft such as engine fires or tail rotor failures. FlightSafety’s Bell 407 FTD represents one of the most realistic and comprehensive training devices  available for the aircraft.

For more information on helicopter training and choosing the right school, check out our Helicopter Training Resource Center or find helicopter flight training near you.

Sources: FlightSafety’s Bell 407 flight training device qualified to Level 7 by FAA

This article was written by Matthew Everett, a private pilot, aviation writer, and frequent contributor to AviationSchoolsOnline.com. You can follow him on twitter @leaving_tf or find his blog at http://leavingterrafirma.com.

According to a press release issued by Delta Connection Academy (DCA) on July 27, 2010, the Florida-based flight academy is now a Cirrus Training Center (CTC).

The press release goes on to say “This designation allows DCA to provide training to Cirrus owners that has not been available in other Cirrus Training Center locations. Utilizing the aircraft and an FAA certified Level 6 Flight Training Device DCA can provide training that is not available anywhere else in the world. In addition to traditional CTC programs pilots will now have the opportunity to take advantage of advanced training including parachute deployment, and Caribbean, mountain and Alaskan flying.”

Read the full DCA press release
Learn more about Delta Connection Academy flight training