Sandel Avilon Training Program Is Changing the Way Pilots Get Into a NextGen Cockpit

Oct. 18, 2016
Sandel Avionics, an engineering firm developing advanced avionics, today announced its partnership with Aerosim Technologies to create the Sandel Avilon Training Program which will prepare pilots to use avionics designed to fly in the NextGen airspace

VISTA, CA, October 18, 2016 – Sandel Avionics Inc., an engineering firm developing advanced avionics, today announced its partnership with Aerosim Technologies to create the Sandel Avilon Training Program which will prepare pilots to use avionics designed to fly in the NextGen airspace.

The Avilon Training program will be the first of its kind provided by an avionics manufacturer in partnership with one of the world’s foremost designers of aviation training solutions. Sandel will use the Aerosim ETHOS™ application for academic preparation, part-task learning, whole-task practice, and training management system evaluation to train pilots quickly and effectively on the Avilon system. The Aerosim Avilon Procedures Trainer (AAPT) will be available at certified Avilon Installation centers for customers to access. The AAPTs will provide a contextual practice environment to prepare pilots for operating Avilon’s unique NextGen, vertical navigation, and performance based navigation features. Sandel will provide this unlimited free training program for all customers and pilots with Avilon-equipped King Airs.

“Because the operational safety and efficiency in future NextGen airspace, particularly for single pilot operations, requires an understanding of avionics functionality and capability before flying, the Sandel team felt compelled to create a program that addressed this issue directly,” said Gerry Block, President and CEO, Sandel Avionics. “We are creating an ecosystem where regulators, manufacturers, installers, instructors, pilots, and industry leaders work together to develop evolving solutions that promote safety and advance the industry as a whole.”

”Aerosim is thrilled to be working with Sandel to create the Avilon training program,” stated Dave Rapley, CEO, Aerosim Technologies. “As a company we are continually looking at ways to improve aviation training. The Sandel Avilon Training Program meets that goal.”

In addition to the academic and practice training, King Air Academy, specializing in King Air training, will participate in the final dealer AAPT training scenario to assist pilots with live instructor interaction. Initially King Air Academy will install a procedural trainer, with plans to later install a full scale flight simulator at their Phoenix training center. 

On Wednesday, November 2, 2016, at the Orange County Convention Center as part of NBAA, Sandel is sponsoring a “NextGen Training Mini Symposium” for attendees to learn why it is important for a clean-sheet flight deck design to meet NextGen requirements even for single pilot operations. The unusual steps Sandel is applying to assure convenient, compelling, and free training for pilots flying the Avilon suite will be reviewed as well. Participants will come away from the Mini Symposium understanding the compatibility of avionics with the airspace of the future and how pilots will be prepared for the transition from current cockpits to a state-of-the-art NextGen airspace-compatible flight deck that optimize flight safety and efficiency.

Captain Steve Fulton, VP of Sales and Marketing for Sandel, has a unique perspective on NextGen operations in Air Transport aircraft. He played a major role in pioneering applications of Performance Based Navigation in the U.S. and many places across the globe. Captain Fulton will moderate the mini-symposium and stated, “Airspace operations are in transition as a result of industry and FAA efforts to incorporate Performance Based Navigation, ADS-B, and Data Comm. Greater efficiencies, predictability, and capacity will result, but these new operations bring new cockpit technologies, flight crew operating procedures and required skills. This symposium creates the conversation to better understand these changes.”

Panel will include speakers from Sandel, Aerosim, King Air Academy, Franklyn Ventures, NBAA and the FAA. The Mini-Symposium is an invitation-only event. For more information on the event and to request an invite, please go to http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=2b8f5eb7a7e1a6b06ebd35bc9&id=86e4be3a8c&e=[UNIQID]   or contact Reb Risty at [email protected].

About Sandel Avionics Inc.

Sandel Avionics Inc. is a leading manufacturer and innovator in Part 25 and Part 23 retrofit displays and TAWS. Its latest product, the Sandel Avilon Integrated Flight Deck, has the stated mission to provide working turboprop customers with a retrofit performance-based avionics system at an affordable price to ensure the highest level of safety, efficiency, and compliance with developing regulatory initiatives to modernize airspace operations. Sandel is AS9100 and ISO9001 certified and headquartered in Vista, California. To learn more about Sandel and its products, please go to www.sandel.com.

About Aerosim Technologies, Inc.
Aerosim delivers leading edge training services and technologies that provide value through customized training solutions. The company is dedicated to innovation that is supported by a strong foundation of simulation-based training products in use with commercial air carriers and training organizations worldwide. Headquartered in Burnsville, MN, Aerosim has three major focus areas that include: Primary Pilot Training through Certified Flight Instructor at Aerosim Flight Academy, type rating services for initial and recurrent training through Aerosim Training Solutions and simulation-based technologies provided by Aerosim Technologies, which supports pilot training curriculums. Visit www.Aerosim.com for more information and follow @Aerosim on Twitter.

About King Air Academy, LLC
King Air Academy is a leading provider of Initial and Recurrent training for all models of the Beechcraft King Air.  Comprised of some of the most experienced King Air pilots and instructors in the industry, our mission is to provide efficient, relevant, model specific curriculum and training for today’s flying environment.  Training is specifically designed for both the professional crew and the owner/operator single pilot operations.  To learn more about King Air Academy and its offerings, please go towww.kingairacademy.com.