Fly Without Leaving The Ground

We REALLY want one of these. Merlin Simulation Inc. told Aero-News Tuesday the company has received the Federal Aviation Administration's Level 3 Certification for its new R22 VFR/IFR simulator product line. Merlin says this sophisticated... yet affordable... Flight Training Device (FTD) represents the next generation in training for helicopter general aviation.

The new R22 FTD provides the kind of advanced technology, superior visual imagery, and true flight modeling that Merlin says was once found only in commercial aviation training devices. Furthermore, the FTD is designed as a Level 6 sim -- which means it looks and flies as much like the actual R22 helicopter as one can without actually taking flight.

"This is the first and only R22 FTD that has received certification in accordance with approval criteria of the FAA National Simulator Program (NSP," notes Ken Zimmerman, President of Merlin Simulation. "This is an important step forward from other R22 FTDs of the past that relied on game software, generic or subjective information, and limited visual cues that provide entertaining graphics, but lack the crucial visual and certified flight model for a true experience."

The new FTD has a wide-angle 220-degree horizontal field of view visual system to fully 'immerse' the pilot into the flight experience. The innovative surround visual provides peripheral visual cues crucial to effectively teach VFR and train for advanced maneuvers such as hover and autorotation training, such as:

• Numerous airports allowing cross-country training
• Training field - Four tire practice square - Pinnacle landing - Pedal turn - Hover ring
• Shadow of aircraft to better judge depth perception
• Many weather & ambient visual conditions
• Collision avoidance aircraft to remind pilot that he/she is not the only aircraft flying
• Cattle herding to sharpen low-speed flying skills (below)

Merlin says true matching of flight characteristics in the R22 FTD is crucial for serious training, due to the unique responsiveness of the R22 aircraft. Therefore, a full flight test program was conducted for the actual R22 Beta II. The specially designed flight model for this FTD is validated against the R22 flight test data.

Another feature of the Merlin FTD is an interchangeable instrument head, allowing for both VFR and IFR training -- to reflect the actual R22 aircraft.

"At an introductory price of $99K," Ken adds, "the Training Community now has available an affordable Training Device that truly matches the R22."

Based near Dulles International Airport in Virginia, Merlin Simulation, Inc. provides high level Man-in-the-Loop Training Devices, using the latest advances in technology at affordable prices. Merlin designs and builds simulators and simulator components for both commercial and Government applications.

FMI: www.merlinsimulation.com