About FSEMC

Mission Statement

To provide a forum for the discussion and resolution of flight simulation engineering and maintenance issues.

Scope

The FSEMC is an air transport industry activity organized by Aeronautical Radio, Inc. (ARINC). The objectives of FSEMC are to promote reliability and reduced operating cost in flight simulators by improving engineering, maintenance, and support techniques through the exchange of technical information.

FSEMC includes users of flight and cabin simulators (dynamic and static). Users include airlines, commuter airlines, and other simulation users. Participants include airframe manufacturers, aircraft equipment suppliers, and simulator equipment suppliers.

The FSEMC consists of representatives from the technical leadership of the air transport flight simulator engineering and maintenance community (Operators), other companies whose primary involvement with flight simulators is as users with significant engineering and maintenance resources committed to the support of simulator use (Other Users), organizations who support the above named groups through provisions of materials or services (Suppliers), and other interested organizations (Others). The voting membership of FSEMC consists of Operators and Other Users (Users) who are present and registered at the annual conference.

FSEMC accomplishes its objectives through a number of activities including an annual conference, steering committee meetings, task group activities, and liaison with the AEEC and with other aviation or electronic industry activities.

The FSEMC Meeting

The FSEMC, held annually every fall, provides simulator users an opportunity to openly and collectively discuss simulator engineering and maintenance questions. Prior to the meeting, simulator users submit discussion items using the following categories:

ATA Chapter 115 - Flight Simulator Systems

Electrical Power
Hydraulic Power
Host Computer and Peripherals
Interface
Instructor Station
Support Infrastructure (Facilities)
Miscellaneous

ATA Chapter 116 - Flight Simulator Cueing Systems

Motion and Control Loading
Visual
Sound
Smoke
Simulated Avionics
Instruments

General

Math Model
Tools and Test Equipment
Standards
Training
Regulatory/ATG
Product Support
*Other Training Devices
Cabin Training Devices
Miscellaneous

*Note: Examples include Computer Based Training, Maintenance Training Simulators, Cockpit Procedure Trainers, Desk Top Trainers, and Flight Nav Procedure Trainers.

Once the questions are received, the FSEMC Staff forwards them to the named equipment manufacturers. The questions will then be prepared and form part of the FSEMC Program. Once the program is complete, a copy is sent to all preregistered attendees.

During the meeting, a moderator presents each question for open forum discussion. By design, simulator users have the first opportunity to respond. This approach emphasizes that other simulator users may also be experiencing the same problem. In some cases, another simulator user may already have a solution to offer.

Next, the moderator calls for the manufacturers to respond. In many cases, a solution is already available. If the solution is acceptable, the question is closed. If the solution is not acceptable or one is not yet available, the question is usually held open and will be so noted in the report of the meeting.

To ensure that the final FSEMC Report presents an accurate record, the meeting is audio taped and the report prepared.

Upon adjournment of the meeting each day, manufacturer hospitality suites will be open to begin the meeting after the meeting. Some attendees consider this unlimited one-on-one access to manufacturers in one location to be as valuable as the meeting itself.

For those who attended past FSEMCs, there should be little need to urge your return. For those who are still not convinced, try answering the following questions:

• Does your company have chronic simulator engineering and maintenance questions?
• Would your company benefit from one-on-one access to a broad cross-section of simulator equipment manufacturers and suppliers, service organizations, airframe manufacturers, and other users in one location?