J.D. Wright
As the engine fired up, a smooth deep buzz from the steel machine filled the cockpit.
The controls showed that the plane was taking off perfectly into the air. There were not any problems.
But as the plane passed Marion, all the red lights on the console flashed viciously and a sharp ear-piercing alarm rang out.
"Your left engine went out," said Stephen Gerrish, a graduate student in aviation from Naperville. "You're stalling!"
The altimeter was spinning out of control, and hearts were racing. A voice screamed out, "You're going down!"
A large hand appeared out of the window and made its way toward the controls. It then pressed firmly against a square orange button that read "freeze."
The button then lit up, the sound stopped, the controls stopped and the flashing went away.
"Nobody has ever crashed," said David Newmyer, the chairman of the Department of Aviation Management and Flight. "I don't think we want to know what happens if it does."
A regular plane does not have a "freeze" button on it, but it is convenient for a flight simulator.
The Frasca 142 is SIU's flight simulator that helps train students working toward their multi-engine pilots license. All of this is made possible by Frasca International Inc. Located in Urbana and owned by Rudy Frasca, FII designs and manufactures high quality and reasonably priced flight simulators for training pilots worldwide.
Part of the reason why Frasca contributes to the Aviation Department is because four of his children Joe, David, Tom and Mary attended the University.
Rudy Frasca visits SIUC from time to time. He is on the advisory board for the Aviation Department, and when he is not working at his high-tech corporation or helping SIU, he's often in the air flying one plane from his ample collection.
Some of the planes he owns include a number of "warbirds," a P-40, a restored Spitfire Mk XVIII, a Wildcat, an SNJ, a T-34, a Fiat and a Zero replica.
Frasca developed his love for flight while he was in the Navy from 1949 to 1952. His company has constructed over 1,700 different types of simulators that are used daily in over 70 countries.
"It's good to have someone like him to help us out," Newmyer said.
While the students sit in the brand-new air-conditioned building at SIU Airport instead of a hot and muggy cockpit of a single engine airplane, the students can thank the Aviation Department and Rudy Frasca.
Frasca has given a donation for the new aviation building, but he has decided not to disclose the exact amount. Another contribution that Frasca has made is the new Frasca 142 flight simulator. Here students can fly a multi-engine plane without the hassle or stress of making a fatal mistake.
"It gives the instructor lots of flexibility," Gerrish said.
A computer sits next to the Frasca 142 flight simulator for the instructor to give the course, weather and different kinds of situations to the pilot so that they are experienced in all aspects of aviation.
SIU had an old Frasca 122 model that was modern for its day but in this day and age, the analog circuitry seems to be quite obsolete.
"It had its problems," said Lorelei E. Ruiz, an SIU flight instructor who is in charge of the "Summer Wings" camp. "It was a very old model. Some even called it a museum piece."
Everyone seems to be in high spirits about the new flight simulator.
"It works great for training," said William Strauthers, a freshman in aviation from Fox Lake.
Incoming freshmen and beginner pilots use the older model simulator, the Frasca 141. The Frasca 141 is different from the 142 because it is used for training pilots to fly a single-engine plane.
"They're kind of old (Frasca 141)," said Scott Bodziak, a freshman in aviation from Schaumburg. "It gets the job done, but it's not that accurate."
By bringing in both old and new flight simulation models, Frasca gives the aviation students a well-rounded experience and training for the program. Through this, Frasca's ties with the University remain strong and will continue to grow throughout the years.
"It's like a family," Frasca said. "I have a special place in my heart for SIU."
Reporter J.D. Wright can be reached at jwright@dailyegyptian.com
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
