The FAA has approved the Alsim AL172 simulator, an exact replica of a Cessna 172SP Skyhawk NAV III aircraft equipped with the Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite, as an Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD).
“Having the AATD approval for the AL172 now means student pilots in America can log respectively up to 20 hours and 50 towards their instrument rating and CPL certificate,” said Mickael Herard, product manager and head of the Alsim Certification Team. “The AL172 is built to FTD Level 5 specifications which allows for more tasks to be completed in the simulator such as certain proficiency checks.”
Launch in late-2017, the AL172 has been delivered and certified to universities and FTOs around the world. In the United States, Alsim’s AL172 is operated by Cirrus Aviation and Paragon Flight Training: both Liberty University flight training affiliates. Among others, Kent State University ordered two AL172’s to be installed in August 2019 at its new FedEx sponsored Aeronautics Academic Center.
Having an exact replica of a brand-new Cessna 172 Skyhawk with real Garmin avionics, high fidelity visuals and authentic force feedback makes the AL172 a must have business and training item for Cessna 172 operators,” said Scott Firsing of Alsim North America. “Not only does it help with a range of the most basic PPL training to instruments and more advanced emergency procedures, it also cuts the down time and costs required in the actual aircraft. In the end, it means better training and both the student and airplane owner saving money.”
