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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

You came to the right blog for Belize Resources and Information.

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Benefits of Flight Simulator Training at Tropic Air

by tacogirl 09/10/2013
written by tacogirl 09/10/2013
flying in belize

The main objective of a pilot is to transport Pax [travel industry slang for passenger(s)] and cargo from point A to point B in a safe and efficient manner. It is important that they are comfortable and skilled with airplane control necessary to ensure safe completion of their mission.

Tropic Air has committed to this objective by investing in the future safety of their passengers; cargo and pilots and purchasing a state of the art, full-motion “Redbird” Cessna Flight Simulator.  The innovative Cessna Grand Caravan AATD (208B) Advanced Aircraft Training Device is the first of its kind in the area and will provide pilots with ongoing training beyond compare.

The AATD was a $500,000 investment with a high yield, not only will it be invaluable for training, it will be cost-effective for Tropic Air. Using a flight simulator is also great for the environment – keeping it green in Belize. The full-motion flight simulator was a joint effort between Tropic air pilots, IT department and Redbird Fight Simulations in Austin Texas. It has a full realistic motion with a 220 degrees visual display and is approved by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and Belize Department of Civil Aviation.

In addition to the obvious safety reasons, the benefits of flight simulator training at Tropic Air will be an unparalleled opportunity for pilots. Tropic recognizes the importance of moving to the next level in keeping their flight crews current and ready to work in all conditions. A pilot cannot safely and cost-effectively practice an engine fire in a regular plane. With the simulator he or she can do it as many times as they want to enhance their action and reaction abilities should the situation ever arise. Hopefully, it won’t but if it does they will be more prepared for it.

Tropic Air Pilots will get hands-on experience year-round in adverse weather conditions, system failures and emergency procedures. Specialized flight training on how to handle emergencies by doing the actual procedures, will provide them the necessary practice and knowledge of how to overcome hazardous situations should one arise.

Realistic flight simulation can put a pilot in the mindset and of the feeling of actually being in an aircraft. The simulator’s temperature and humidity are controlled, making a more comfortable and focused learning environment. There is also a deeper training component to flight simulation sessions. Pilots will feel the move while gaining a better understanding of the mechanics of the motion at the same time – very Luke Skywalker.

New and already licensed pilots that are receiving consistent training will become more familiar on how and why the controls work and be infinitely more in control of an airplane in any given situation. Instructors can pause the simulator at any time to clarify something, or hold an entry to provide a more detailed explanation relating the situation at hand. It allows them to better evaluate and be able to pinpoint what areas the pilot needs to apply additional focus.

Using flight a simulator also gives pilots better airport and country familiarization, they will get to know the names of rivers, lakes, and towns that may not be published on sectional charts. Practicing cross country flights provide Tropic pilots with superior knowledge of terrain features of Belize, Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras, all places that Tropic Air flies.

Tropic Air is commended for its leadership innovation and commitment to aircraft safety.

Tropic Air is dedicated to the highest quality of customer service, delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride, and company spirit. Safety, security and consistent delivery of the basics are the foundation of everything they do.

Tropic Air operates a fleet of 11 aircraft (including the latest generation, G1000 “glass cockpit”, air-conditioned Cessna Caravans) to 15 destinations in Belize,  Guatemala, Honduras & Mexico and employs over 250.

In a personal note, when John Grief President of Tropic Air encouraged me to take a test drive of the new machine under the guidance of safety manager Raul Alamilla, I did not hesitate on the opportunity. After all my research, I was ready to get my dyslexic self into the seat and give it my best shot. The experience of flying over Dangriga surpassed all my expectations and is one I will not forget. Having flown in a Tropic Cessna copilot seat before, I can honestly say, the simulator experience was very realistic. I see first hand how the simulator will advance Tropic Air in pilot training, improve procedures and flight safety methods.

The smiles and sounds in the following video will give you a good idea of just how realistic the Redbird Simulator is.

Fun flight fact: The world’s very first flight simulator was built in 1929 built by a man named Edwin Link.

Edwin Albert Link was born in 1904 in Huntington, Indiana. From an early age he developed a love for flight and aircraft, yet his parents – his father built player pianos and organs – could not afford to have him trained as a pilot. So Link improvised, and built himself an airplane. On the ground.

Using scavenged organ and piano parts from his father’s small factory, in 1929 Link had completed the “Link Trainer”, a small, chubby aircraft attached to a base with an engine inside. It was the world’s first true flight simulator, a contraption that presented the pilot with realistic-looking instrumentation that, when activated, would be recreated by the small plane. Pull up and, using cannibalized organ bellows, the plane would pull up, bank, etc. Excerpt from kotaku.com

Excerpt above is from Meet the worlds first flight simulator on kokatu.com.

tropic air belize

A proud Tropic Air family moment

Advanced Aircraft Training Device

Filming the new Tropic Air Cessna Grand Caravan (208B) Advanced Aircraft Training Device

filming the new tropic air cessna grand caravan (208B) advanced aircraft training device

Flight Simulator launch upstairs at San Pedro Airport

redbird advanced aircraft training device

Flying over the Caribbean Sea

redbird flight sumulator

TV monitor showing a live picture in picture of me flying the Redbird flight simulator

flying in belize

Tropic Air has added a whole new dimension to flying in Belize

tropic air belize

Founded in 1979, Tropic Air has come a long way in 34 years

 redbird flight simulator

Tropic Air employees will benefit greatly from training on the Redbird flight simulator

redbird flight simulator beize

Cessna Grand Caravan AATD (208B) Advanced Aircraft Training Device

flying in belize

Getting ready for take off

redbird cessna flight simulator

Redbird flight simulator dashboard

cessna dashboard

Tropic Air plane dashboard

In addition to the obvious safety reasons, the benefits of flight simulator training at Tropic Air will be an unparalleled opportunity for pilots.

Related

tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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2 comments

Dr Al 10/10/2013 - 2:50 pm

Now there’s a scary thought. An ADD/dyslexic airline pilot. So if you are requested to fly to Florida (MIA) this could mean that you will be flying to the Marshall Islands (AIM). Guess that would be ok. Warm climate. Tropical breezes. Piña coladas. Works for me. 🙂

Reply
tacogirl 11/10/2013 - 7:43 am

Since you put it that way Dr Al, I was flying near DGA so your dyslexic version would have got me to AGD Anggi-Papua Island, Indonesia – totally appealing to me. Or in this case my dyslexia came out as ADG when looking it up, which is the Lenawee County Airport in Michigan – definitely a summer season trip.

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Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s... always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and... local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do... what everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

If you have any questions or want Belize discounts, Contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

3 childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age.Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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