(Courtesy Photo)
The new flight simulator at the Steamboat Springs Airport debuts at an Open House on Thursday, March 23. It’s a new Precision Flight Controls CR-12 ProPanel AATD simulator that provides pilots to have more training resources available. Current or future pilots can try the flight simulator at the Open House, which is from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, at 3499 Airport Circle in west Steamboat Springs.
Here’s more from the City of Steamboat Springs; March 13, 2023
New Precision CR-12 AATD Pilot Simulator Takes Flight
Airport Hosts Open House Thursday, March 23 To Unveil Program
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-March 13, 2023-Cleared for Flight! The Steamboat Springs Airport (KSBS) celebrates the launch of its new Precision Flight Controls CR-12 ProPanel AATD simulator during an open house on Thursday, March 23. Currently, KSBS is home to the only flight simulator offered by an FBO in the Colorado Mountain Region.
“I couldn’t be more excited to see the simulator in action,” said Airport Manager and retired USCG pilot Stacie Fain. “This valuable piece of equipment differentiates our Airport and Fixed Based Operator (FBO) apart from others and ensures pilots have access to vital training resources at their fingertips.”
Seasoned and never-ever pilots can grab the controls on the new simulator during the open house at the Airport FBO, 3499 Airport Circle, Thursday (3/23) from 6pm-8pm. During the demonstration, simulator flights will take flight and staff will share instructions on how the equipment operates and program functions.
The PFC Simulator is an Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) allowing pilots to log time while obtaining or maintaining instrument proficiency. It can also be used as an introduction to flight. The grant-sponsored simulator goal is more proficient instrument trained pilots on the Western Slope and safer flight operations across the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
Over the past few months, airport staff installed the desktop flight training module, worked with the developer to calibrate software, and put the simulator unit to the test. Funded through a $35,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics and matching funds from the city, the new simulator sailed through the test flight shake-down period.
Charged through the KSBS FBO Aviation POS system, the simulator is available for $45/hour. Just like every pilot has to file a flight plan, simulator pilots will need to reserve flight time through the Flight Schedule Pro application.
The CR-12 system is the most cost effective full-featured desktop advanced aviation training device (AATD) on the market. With the ability to reconfigure the system for over 40 different aircraft, and the loggable time approved by the FAA, the CR-12 ProPanel AATD system provides real-life, hands-on training and education for pilots.
Contact: Stacie Fain, Airport Manager, 970.879.9042 or email