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L3 Technologies Expands Training Facility in Response to Pilot Shortage

The new space will accommodate six additional full-flight simulators and virtual reality classrooms.

L3 Technologies RealitySeven A320 Full Flight Simulators (Image source: L3 Technologies)

To address widespread pilot shortages, L3 Technologies  of Arlington, Texas has expanded its state-of-the-at L3 Arlington Training Center facility near the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport  . The company has added approximately 40,000 square feet – more than doubling the size of its high bay facility. The multi-purpose training center provides simulation and instruction for both military and commercial pilots.

The expansion includes room for six additional full-flight simulators and classrooms incorporating augmented and virtual reality. The Arlington expansion complements L3’s soon-to-open London Training Center that will support nearby Gatwick Airport with state-of-the-art pilot training and simulation.

“We are excited to offer this expanded multi-purpose facility to greatly enhance our training capability in Arlington,” says Lenny Genna, president of L3 Link Training & Simulation  , which is part of L3’s Electronic Systems business segment.

“This is the right time for L3 to invest in the advancement of flight training for aircraft, helicopter and unmanned vehicle pilots. New training and simulation technologies, combined with a well-designed infrastructure, provide an ideal environment to deliver the best flight training experience for our customers,” continues Genna.

Regardless of an interest in unmanned or self-piloted aircraft, the aerospace industry estimates that nearly 800,000 new pilots will be needed over the next 20 years. Cost effective – read “efficient” training – will be key in meeting global demand.

So much so, that the United States Air Force started an open call for innovative, outside solutions to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of its ongoing Pilot Training Next initiative, offering portions of a $300,000-fund to companies and individuals who can offer the right set of improvements the program.

However, many major operators lack the funds to develop or procure in-house training services and flight simulators – some of which, developed and sold by L3, range in price from $1 million to $15 million.

L3 Link Training & Simulation provides platform operators and maintainers with training solutions designed to improve training effectiveness and efficiency and lower life-cycle costs in a secure cyber environment, including a full spectrum of state-of-the-art training technologies, such as high-fidelity immersive simulations and distributed academic and interactive courseware. L3 instructors teach individual courses on a wide variety of aircraft types, delivering instruction via e-learning, in the classroom, on high-fidelity simulators and in some cases in actual aircraft.

The company – which provides global intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); communications; electronic, and network systems for military, homeland security, and commercial agencies – has delivered military and commercial training systems to customers throughout North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim.

William Kucinski  is content editor at SAE International, Aerospace Products Group in Warrendale, Pa. Previously, he worked as a writer at the NASA Safety Center in Cleveland, Ohio and was responsible for writing the agency’s System Failure Case Studies. His interests include 'literally anything that has to do with space,' past and present military aircraft, and propulsion technology. And also sportscars.

Contact him regarding any article or collaboration ideas by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Topics:
Aircraft Aircraft Augmented / virtual reality Augmented/Virtual Reality Aviation Avionics Collaboration and partnering Defense Education and training Electronic control systems Logistics Military aircraft People and personalities Pistons Simulation Software Simulators Suppliers Supply chain management Vehicles Virtual reality

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    Transcript

    00:00:10 as a world leader in flight simulation l3 is dedicated to training pilots with a rich heritage and unmatched level of expertise customer needs continue to be anticipated and fulfilled l3 was the first to develop a 787 dreamliner full flight simulator for all nippon airways the first to develop an a380 full flight simulator

    00:00:37 for singapore airlines and now are proud to announce their first a350 full flight simulator for cathay pacific airways incorporating the latest airbus software model deliveries and avionics it creates the most realistic simulation possible a350 specific features include dual head

    00:00:58 up display six aircraft wide screen displays flysmart with airbus new generation for the onboard information system airborne environmental surveillance unit onboard information system repeats at the instructor station and airline operational control reality 7 features include

    00:01:19 use of generic modular elements for the docking station motion system and visual optics and reduced computing footprint using latest digital architecture this important milestone for us entering the implant acceptance on our a350 full flight simulator program with cathay pacific demonstrates the advanced nature of our a350

    00:01:39 development what we're allowing our customers like cafe pacific to do is to utilize the full suite of training equipment in line with the airbus philosophy which ranges from lower level devices through to full flight simulators this device will be ready for training in hong kong in september 2015 and we expect it to be

    00:01:57 one of many devices which we hope to be selling over the coming weeks and months the a350 simulator is currently in the final integration and test phase prior to the start of customer implant acceptance in 2014 two a350 full flight simulators two a350 airbus pilot transition plus trainers and 15 flight management system trainers

    00:02:22 will be installed at cathay pacific airways training center in hong kong in 2015 continuing lfree's commitment to training pilots and creating safer skies you

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