The first worldwide approval for a Basic Instrument Training Device (BITD) pilot training system meeting the requirements of JAR-STD 4(A) has been awarded to Swiss-based Elite Simulation Solutions AG for its Evolution S612 BITD.

The first worldwide approval for a Basic Instrument Training Device (BITD) pilot training system meeting the requirements of JAR-STD 4(A) has been awarded to Swiss-based Elite Simulation Solutions AG for its Evolution S612 BITD.

Working at Elite’s headquarters in Dübendorf a joint Synthetic Training Devices (STD) evaluation team from the Swiss FOCA and the German LBA evaluated the BITD, which represents twin engine aeroplanes, and certified the first system, configured to represent the Beech Baron BA58.

This factory acceptance is valid in all JAA member countries. Therefore, unlike the certification of STDs meeting JAR-STD 3(A) (FNPT I, FNPT II or FNPT II MCC), local certification at customers’ premises will not be needed for the S612. Elite will in future offer a single engine version and a convertible single to twin engine version.

“We are proud to be the first company to achieve a BITD qualification. This underlines our experience in developing flight training solutions and reveals the growing acceptance within the industry of PC-based flight training solutions. We are confident that our new BITD will not only meet our customers’ technical requirements but also prove to be cost effective”, said Heinrich Schaible, Elite’s Director of Sales and Marketing. He pointed out that the modular design of Elite products allows easy upgrading from a BITD to a FNPT I or from a FNPT I to a FNPT II.

The Elite BITD has been certified without an external visual system but to make the product an even more complete solution Elite is offering this as an option.

The Elite BITD qualifies student pilots for five hours of flying towards a PPL(A) and 10 hours towards the IR. The final approval of credited hours will be up to the aviation authorities, each assessing the degree of integration of the BITD into its training syllabus.

For more information please contact Heinrich Schaible at Elite Simulation Solutions AG Tel: +41 – 43 – 355 19 27 or email hschaible@flyelite.ch