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Good
News !!
Transport Canada Approves
ATC-810 as a Level 2(R) on Nov. 28th, 2005
(see below)
See Videos of MAPMOD3
at work.
Enhanced Flight Model
Click here
Upgrades
Graphic upgrades
1) Plotter replacement
The picture on the right shows the ATC810 with a computer interface
replacing the plotter.
2) 3D graphics presentation
A full graphic display showing both horizontal and vertical profiles
is available through Executive
Electronics
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FAQs
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What's
an ATC-810? - A multi engine Flight Training Device
(Simulator) that operates like a Navajo aircraft. Several hundreds
were produced in the 1980s. They are still very popular and are
to be found worldwide.
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Are
they still supportable? - They are very sturdy and the
mechanical parts do not readily break. Any AME could
fix a mechanical failure (cable break etc). Circuit diagrams of
the units are available and most electronic parts can be obtained
from regular electronic suppliers. The instruments can usually
be obtained on the second-hand market; many components are still
available from the original suppliers.
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Can
they be certified? - Yes. Several countries (including Canada)
have certified the ATC-810s. Canada has some specific requirements
for certification. The basic unit "as-is" can be certified for
IFR procedures training and some Commercial Pilot training. Complete
certification for all training aspects requires that the unit
will phugoid - see
GAAC 2005-01 dated 2005-01-19. Since September 2005 Canadian
FTDs must pass the Transport Canada certification tests in order
to continue to be used for any training that is to be credited
towards a licence.
We have developed a modification (MAPMOD3)
that changes the control laws to enable a phugoid. This modification
also adds some features that Transport Canada had previously identified
as desirable. MAPMOD3
is currently installed in a functioning FTD and is awaiting tests
by Transport Canada to establish that it meets their requirements.
The videos below show the effects of installing MAPMOD3.
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Can
they be upgraded? - Yes. There are several modifications available
either from ourselves or Executive
Electronics. They range from small items to satisfy the regulatory
authorities and to assist general usage, to significant improvements
such as visual systems and GPS . See the side bars for some of
these items.
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Where
can I get more information? Contact
us.
The following are links to videos showing the
MAPMOD3 Enhanced Flight model for the ATC-810 necessary to achieve Certification.
Simply click on the name of the video you wish to view.
Transport Canada mandatory requirement for full Level 2 certification:
1. ATC810MAPMOD3_Phugoid_Test.wmv
(5.6 mb)
Additional features that Transport Canada has indicated as being
desirable are:
2. ATC810MAPMOD3_SlowSpeed_Test.wmv
(6.0 mb)
3. ATC810MAPMOD3_Flap_Test.wmv
(4.0 mb)
4. ATC810MAPMOD3_Spiral_Test.wmv
(5.9 mb)
NOTE: Windows Media Player is required
to play these clips.
Certification
of ATC-810 Multi-Engine IFR Flight Training Devices (FTDs) - previously
known as “simulators”
The recent enforcement of FTD standards by Transport Canada (TC) has
caused quite the shake-up among Flight Training Unit Operators. According
to GENERAL AVIATION ADVISORY CIRCULAR (GAAC) 2005-01 dated 2005-09-01.
The ATC-810 and AST-300 FTDs do not fully meet CAR 606.03(2). However,
the Transport Minister has issued an exemption permitting the operation
of ATC-810 and AST-300 FTDs from Chapter 4, Appendix 4A, paragraph 2.f
and Appendix 4B, paragraph 3.2.C.9 of the Aeroplane and Rotorcraft Simulator
Manual standard (TP 9685).
Simply put, as of Sept. 1st, 2005, any of these FTDs cannot be used
to log time toward a pilot license unless it receives and maintains
Level 2 or Level 2(R) restricted certification. TC also requires that
the pilot in training note the Certificate number of the device into
his/her Pilot Training Record (PTR) to receive applicable experience
credits towards a rating. It would also be advisable to note the certificate
number in his/her logbook.
In order to meet these requirements, Montreal AeroPlus has invested
a considerable amount of time and resources developing the ATC-810 test
procedures, evaluating the devices, tuning them to their original performance,
sending measured results to TC, training operators to run certification
tests, and supporting evaluations as required. As a result, it is now
possible to obtain and maintain Level 2(R) certification with minimal
cost. This includes maintenance, annual testing using a test kit, and
Journey Log maintenance.
One of the first ATC-810s to obtain Level 2(R) certification is the
unit operated by the Centre de formation aéronautique de Québec (CFAQ)
located at Jean-Lesage International Airport in Quebec City (http://www.cfaq.net).
They received their certificate on November 28th, 2005.... Congratulations
Vicky! Other units are in the certification process including
one at Laurentide Aviation (recently tested by Transport Canada and
awaiting it’s certificate), and another unit operated by the newly formed
St-Hubert Flying School (http://www.SaintHubertFlyingSchool.com),
which has recently applied for certification of its FTD.
Since full Level 2 certification requires that FTDs be able to produce
an acceptable Phugoid effect, the basic ATC-810 cannot be expected to
pass the test. In order to achieve this requirement, Montreal AeroPlus
has developed an "add-on" product for the ATC-810, to produce a phugoid
effect. The unit also improves some characteristics of the ATC-810 that
the operators and Transport Canada had previously identified as weak.
The new product is planned to be offered in the near future for approval
by Transport Canada using an Aeronautical Product STC process prior
to installation in a Level 2(R)certified ATC-810.
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More Upgrades
3) Morse Code
The ATC series did not have any provision for audible Morse code identifiers
- a fundamental requirement for IFR training. This modification adds
that capability. Contact us for details.
4) Spirals The FTD was not designed to have
any pitch effect when rolling - as a result it will not spiral. At
least one regulatory authority considers this to be essential. Our
modification alters the control laws to produce this effect - as a
result the student will learn that back pressure has to be applied
when turning. Contact us for details.
5)Phugoids Transport Canada considers that the
fact that the FTD will not phugoid indicates a fundamental flaw. They
restrict the use of the unit to just the IFR procedures training if
it will not phugoid. Our modification alters the control laws. Phugoids
will happen when appropriate. Contact us
for details.
6) GPS GPS is having a major influence on navigation
procedures and requires training tools. GPS can be added to the ATC810.
It should also be noted that our own BE-1
and JS-1 devices incorporate GPS interfaces
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