Wayman Flight Training was the first flight training center in Florida to make the Frasca MENTOR Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) available to General Aviation pilots and students. It has expanded it’s offerings with a Redbird FMX full-motion training device.
The Redbird FMX is a great platform for aspiring pilots and for aviator earning their instrument rating. The enclosed space and 180° view allow low time pilots to visualize the pattern. The high level of realism will suspend disbelief. Redbird has also created Flying Challenge modules that allow pilots to practice Spot Landings, Steep Turns, and Lazy 8s without the need for an accompanying instructor. Their master CFIs guide you through the maneuvers through a lightweight headset.
The MENTOR, based on the authentic GARMIN G1000 glass system, is ideal for glass cockpit initial training, glass-transition training, or recurrent training. Wayman’s MENTOR AATD features 10-inch panel displays and a 72” viewing screen in its Cessna 172 G1000 simulator. The C-172 remains the most popular aircraft trainer in aviation and is a familiar platform for learning or mastering the G1000 cockpit, or on which to take an IFR refresher course.
Wayman Aviation points out that under the FARs (14 CFR Part 61), their FTDs allows students to train up to 2 ½ hours toward their Private certificate, fully half of the 40 hours required for their Instrument rating, and as many as 50 hours towards their commercial pilot certificate. This saves expensive air time and reduces air traffic congestion, increasing safety while lowering flight training’s “carbon footprint.”
Pilots will be much better prepared to fly in the Air Traffic system because they can practice maneuvers which are not practical or readily repeatable in the aircraft, and they have more scenarios available – more approaches, more airports and procedures, thanks to Frasca’s international database and flight vision system. This allows pilots to practice procedures for unfamiliar airports before they actually fly to them, contributing to safety when the actual approach is being made.
Wayman also has G1000 transition programs for pilots upgrading to the new generation of glass panel aircraft.
Wayman Alfredo Luy, owner, is particularly aware of the relatively small but significant environmental costs of flying, and is dedicated to reducing aviation’s impact wherever practical. He said, “Added benefits [to sim training] are zero consumption of fuel: no carbon and gaseous emissions are produced; no addition to noise pollution, and zero opportunity for a mid-air collision. We believe in being environmentally considerate and in being a good airport neighbor.”