Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

FlyThisSim introduced its newest flight training device, the TouchTrainer FM 210, this week at EAA AirVenture 2015. The largest trainer offered by FlyThisSim, the FM 210 has side-by-side seating for two and a high-resolution 210-degree horizontal by 70-degree vertical field of view visual display.

 


“This is our first skills trainer,” said co-CEO Carl Suttle. The company’s earlier products such as the TouchTrainer Standard desktop unit and the VisualMotion system are primarily intended to be procedures trainers. But customers were using the TouchTrainers to teach skills to new pilots, he explained, “So we decided to build a visual system unlike anything else.”

 


The heart of the FM 210 is the “visual motion” display, which is much brighter than that of a typical level-D full-flight simulator visual, according to Suttle. “The system provides a vertical field of view with correct aspect visual flow and motion cues, a 1:1 horizontal/vertical visual scaling, the depiction of 3-D objects around the airfield with realistic depth perception and bright displays, which allow the eye to open and which require high-resolution displays for accurate presentation.” Instead of adding physical motion, the FM 210 uses “visual motion cues” to enhance the simulation.

 


The $30,000 FM 210 can replicate 120 aircraft/avionics combinations, including Beech, Cessna, Commander, Corvalis, Cirrus, Diamond, Mitsubishi MU-2 and Piper models with analog gauges or Aspen, Avidyne or Garmin GNS430W/530W, G500, G1000 and Perspective avionics. Also available are engine monitor systems such as the JPI EDM 700 and 930 and Oracle CRM 2100. These avionics systems include full autopilot functionality as well as modeling of missed approach procedures and Waas GPS capability. FlyThisSim does not currently offer synthetic vision.

 


The key interface for pilots flying the TouchTrainers is touchscreen control of all knobs, buttons and controls, thus allowing easy switching from aircraft to aircraft without having to swap out physical hardware. The TouchTrainers run on X-Plane’s software, and FlyThisSim has created its own nav database and maps using FAA data and some approach plates from Lufthansa Systems Lido. The FM 210 can also be reconfigured to single- or dual-seat, center console, single- or twin-engine, yoke or sidestick controls and vernier or lever throttles.

 


The FM 210 standard package includes a two-place intercom, web-camera monitoring, power outlets for laptops and mobile devices, wireless connection to ForeFlight Mobile on the iPad, a connection to the PilotEdge live ATC system, 12-month warranty and nav data. Annual maintenance and support costs $600 a year.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

TouchTrainer FM 210 Flight Training Device Makes AirVenture Debut

The flight training device is the company's first skills trainer.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Attracting and retaining technicians is a mix of pay and quality of life

AINsight: Future of Aviation’s Mx Workforce

Chad Trautvetter

Canadian company takes majority share of business aviation training provider

CAE Ups Ante in Simcom Training Joint Venture

Kerry Lynch

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Training program rolled out during PMOPA's annual convention

Piper M-Class Org Seeks To Elevate Training

AmyWilder

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Exploring economic impact of private aviation in Africa

VistaJet Expands in Africa Amid 8% Growth Forecast

Sarah Rose

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

RFDS Queensland will use Bundaberg-based simulator for pilot training

TRU Simulation's King Air Sim Gets Australia Nod

Hanneke Weitering

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

Aircraft avionics and training systems are evolving with artificial intelligence

AI Elicits a New Generation of Avionics and Pilot Training Tools

Charles Alcock

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

EAA AirVenture 2015

More In Training and Workforce

AINsight: Future of Aviation’s Mx Workforce

Attracting and retaining technicians is a mix of pay and quality of life

CAE Ups Ante in Simcom Training Joint Venture

Canadian company takes majority share of business aviation training provider

Piper M-Class Org Seeks To Elevate Training

Training program rolled out during PMOPA's annual convention

VistaJet Expands in Africa Amid 8% Growth Forecast

Exploring economic impact of private aviation in Africa

TRU Simulation's King Air Sim Gets Australia Nod

RFDS Queensland will use Bundaberg-based simulator for pilot training

AI Elicits a New Generation of Avionics and Pilot Training Tools

Aircraft avionics and training systems are evolving with artificial intelligence

Runners Race Around Le Bourget for Aviation Sans Frontières

10 kilometer race on the main runway drew 1,200 participants from 22 countries

CAE Will Provide Crew Training for Eve's eVTOL Aircraft

CAE operates a business jet training division with Eve's parent company Embraer

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