We have recently added an AST 3000 Flight Simulator to our flight-training department.  This state-of-the-art simulator costing over $250,000 is capable of simulating numerous aircraft and hundreds of meteorological and emergency flight conditions. The AST's advanced computer graphics provide a field of vision exceeding 180 degrees in the VFR mode. Actual airborne and satellite imagery offer a startling realism unlike any other simulator in its price range. The AST 3000 is equipped with panel gauges including electron flight instrumentation system (EFIS) as well as traditional steam or 3” round instruments.  Included in its navigation package are VOR, ADF, RMI and GPS. GPS instrumentation includes Garmin 430 and Honeywell KLN 94 units.

Aircraft platforms that can be simulated include single and multi-engine piston, single and multi-engine turbine and multi-engine fan jet. The FAA has approved pilots who fly the AST-3000 at Panorama Flight Service, Inc. to log flight time as follows:  Instrument Flight Experience, General Flight Experience, Instrument Recent Experience, Instrument Proficiency Check, Instrument Rating, Instrument Practical Test and Commercial and ATP Flight Experience. These FAA approvals translate into thousands of dollars of savings for pilots who choose to fly the AST rather than an aircraft as they seek additional ratings or for flight proficiency.