Middle Tennessee State University has selected L3Harris Technologies to provide two flight training devices and a virtual flight deck to help prepare its aerospace students for professional pilot careers.

The devices will feature an aircraft-specific flight deck that offers the form, fit, feel and function of the actual aircraft, as well as maintenance training features. The devices are based on the CRJ700 aircraft type, which is part of a family of regional jet airliners manufactured in Canada.

In MTSU’s partnership with L3Harris Technologies, the company will provide two Level-5 compliant CRJ700 flight training devices and a virtual flight deck to help prepare aerospace students for professional pilot careers. (Submitted photo by L3Harris Technologies)

Used by airlines and training providers across the globe, the devices will introduce MTSU students to operations with regional jets before they join the airlines. They will be housed in aerospace’s simulator building in its Flight Operations Center at Murfreesboro Airport.

Dr. Wendy Beckman

“We are very excited about the selection of L3Harris to provide high-quality training devices for our students,” said Wendy Beckman, chair of MTSU’s nationally recognized Aerospace Department. “L3Harris was able to clearly demonstrate the robust design, impressive capabilities and easy maintenance of their equipment. We look forward to introducing these state-of-the-art devices shortly.”

Beckman said the anticipated arrival date is May 2020. Following set-up and training, aerospace students would begin utilizing the devices either in a late summer session or when fall 2020 classes begin.

Sarah Cooney, U.S. sales director at L3Harris Commercial Aviation, said her company’s “airline-certified technology and services have been developed through longstanding partnerships with a large number of carriers. They perfectly align to support MTSU in advancing the training of their students.”

Dr. Bud Fischer

L3Harris Technologies’ devices carry Level-5 status because it may represent a family of aircraft rather than only one specific model.

Bud Fischer, dean for the MTSU College of Basic and Applied Sciences, said the partnership “will offer our aerospace students the chance to train on first-class training devices with state-of-the-art capabilities.”

“The continued commitment of the aerospace program to update and expand our capabilities is why we are one of the leading programs in the country.”

For more information on the MTSU aerospace program, call 615-898-2788.

MTSU aerospace professional pilot majors will benefit from the partnership with L3Harris Technologies, which is providing two Level-5 compliant flight training devices and a virtual flight deck, in an announcement made Wednesday, Oct. 2. (Submitted photo by L3Harris Technologies)

About MTSU/MTSU Aerospace

A comprehensive, innovative university, MTSU attracts students to more than 300 distinctive bachelor’s, master’s, specialist and doctoral programs that prepare graduates to thrive in their chosen professions and a changing global society. MTSU’s Department of Aerospace has grown into one of the most respected aerospace programs in the nation. Seventeen full-time faculty members, 75 flight instructors, and around 1,000 majors place it among the largest of the nation’s collegiate aviation programs.

About L3Harris Technologies

L3Harris Technologies is a global aerospace and defense technology innovator, delivering end-to-end solutions that meet customers’ mission-critical needs. The company provides advanced defense and commercial technologies across air, land, sea, space and cyber domains. L3Harris has approximately $17 billion in annual revenue and 50,000 employees, with customers in 130 countries.

—Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)

New technology in the form of L3Harris Technologies’ Level-5 flight training devices and a virtual flight deck will soon arrive for MTSU professional pilot students to utilize. The devices, which are utilized by airlines and training providers across the globe, will introduce students to operations with regional jets before they join the airlines. (Submitted photo by L3Harris Technologies)