The SIAI-Marchetti S211 jet trainer, utilized by APS, offers a realistic and immersive platform for UPRT, preparing pilots for real-world upset events.
The SIAI-Marchetti S211 jet trainer has been making waves, especially in the field of Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT). Aviation Performance Solutions (APS) has been at the forefront of this development, utilizing the S211 in their UPRT programs to great effect.
What is important in a UPRT platform?
To fully expose a pilot to the entire attitude and performance envelope of an aircraft, a fully aerobatic aircraft is required. The ability to fly into, and recover from, the full 360-degree range of roll and pitch; the ability to do full stalls; and the ability to encounter relevant upset situations for realism is ideal.
How Does the APS S211 Stack Up Against Other UPRT On-Aircraft Platforms?
The SIAI Marchetti S211 jet trainer is a robust, 6000-pound tandem seat aircraft that operates at altitudes up to 40,000 feet and speeds up to 400 KIAS or .8 Mach. It's capable of structural loads of +5/-2 G (+6/-3 G below 5500 pounds) and is fully recoverable from developed spins. This makes it an ideal platform for UPRT, providing a realistic and safe environment for pilots to learn and practice recovery strategies.
S211 Avionics
APS has also equipped its S211 trainers with the latest Garmin G3X large touchscreen avionics display, closely representing the corporate business jet or airline flight deck. This, coupled with the S211's Pratt and Whitney JT15D engine, allows for cost-effective operations without compromising on the quality of training.
High Altitude Training in the S211
The S211 also shines in high altitude training. APS conducts valuable UPRT profiles between FL250 and FL330, effectively training high altitude aerodynamics, swept wing stalls, and upset prevention and recovery strategies. This includes thrust-limited and airspeed stagnation/slowdown situations, reduced aerodynamic damping, increased control sensitivity, and reduced operating margins.
Human Factors – Live Jet Upsets vs. Simulator Training
While simulator training is valuable, there's no substitute for on-aircraft UPRT training. The S211, with its higher speeds, reduced turn rates, larger turn radii, increased accelerations, and additional complexity of aircraft systems, provides a realistic and immersive training environment. This helps pilots develop the mental discipline and technical skills needed to react effectively in the face of startle and surprise events.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the S211 jet trainer is a powerful tool in the arsenal of UPRT. Its capabilities and features make it an ideal platform for pilots to learn and practice upset prevention and recovery strategies. With APS at the helm, pilots can look forward to mastering the skies with confidence.
For more information, please refer to the original article here.
References:
- Delivering UPRT in the APS SIAI-Marchetti S211 Jet Trainer, Part 1 | Aviation Performance Solutions. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://apstraining.com/resource/delivering-uprt-aps-siai-marchetti-s211-jet-trainer-part-1/