Elite Aviation Offers Flight Training Options With Redbird Full-Motion Simulator

By Carmelo Turdo

The Midwest is in the midst of the autumn season, and the weather can vary from sunny and warm to foggy and cool as it has done in recent days. Today's low ceilings and drizzle conditions were not conducive to VFR flight, but that does not prevent students at Elite Aviation from engaging in meaningful flight training. The Aero Experience visited Elite Aviation today and found that there is much to do on a poor weather day at the area's premier flight school.

Elite Aviation offers a comfortable place to train and relax before a flight. Their facility in the Spirit West Terminal offers ample space for student ground school training and pre-flight planning so that student and instructor can make progress regardless of flying conditions. When the weather breaks, flying can continue in the modern fleet of Cessna 172S Skyhawks, including G1000-equipped aircraft. A Piper Turbo Saratoga is also available for complex training and rental. We will have more coverage of Elite Aviation's newest Cessna 172S aircraft in a future post.

Students can also receive realistic training in the advanced, full-motion Redbird MCX flight simulator at the Alpha Flight Simulation Pilot Proficiency Center located in an adjacent hangar. Students can complete a simulated flight around the St. Louis area or other U.S. destination in a Cessna 172 or twin-engine Beechcraft Baron configuration. The experience of flight is enhanced by the wrap-around visual references, stunning instrument displays, and the full-motion performance of the Redbird MCX. The feeling of being pushed back in the seat during turns and climbing maneuvers adds a layer of realism that is usually reserved for actual flight. Even with this level of realism, there is a way for the instructor to take advantage of those teachable moments - the Pause Button. When a student is having difficulty in a training scenario, the instructor can stop the event at any time to discuss the proper pilot response before continuing the lesson. After further practice in the simulator, the student pilot develops a sense of confidence based on training received under realistic conditions in the Redbird MCX.

In any weather, the Elite Aviation Service team provides comprehensive aircraft maintenance services for single and twin-engine piston aircraft. Elite Aviation is entrusted with the inspection and maintenance of the local Civil Air Patrol fleet and aircraft owned by individuals and corporations throughout the region.  

The Aero Experience recently produced this video that illustrates the services provided by Elite Aviation:



Contact Elite Aviation today for more information about flight training, aircraft rental and aircraft maintenance services.