Known for the ultimate in realism, simulators crafted by TRU Simulation + Training have educated pilots around the globe in safe flying under almost any condition possible. To support pilot training on the Bell 429 helicopter model at Bell Helicopter’s new training facility in Valencia, TRU upped its game with its ODYSSEY™ H Bell Helicopter 429 platform – featuring 11 Barco F35 WQXGA projectors.
"The Barco projectors provide the high resolution and the brightness we were after, ensuring the best combination of realism and performance for this install."
Ralph Baker
Director European Operation at RSI
Unrivaled realism
As TRU’s new full flight simulator (FFS) requires high performance, superior image quality and maximum uptime, the choice of Barco was clear for RSI Visuals, the company responsible for the visual display system in the new simulator. “The Barco F35 WQXGA projectors provide the high resolution and the brightness we were after, ensuring the best combination of realism and performance for this install,” says Ralph Baker, Director, European Operations for RSI Visual Systems. “The ODYSSEY™ H platform was designed for typical pilot usage 20 hours a day, 7 days a week, with an expected 99% reliability. The performance of the display system and the projectors significantly contributes to meeting these requirements,” explains Troy Fey, VP of Technology for TRU Simulation + Training.
Rigorous standards
The TRU ODYSSEY™ H simulator has been certified Level D by the European Aviation Safety Agency – a first for Bell 429 helicopter simulators. Level D certification requires simulators to adhere to a set of strict benchmarks, including full motion and acceleration in all six degrees of freedom and a field of view (FOV) of at least 150 degrees. The TRU ODYSSEY™ H platform exceeds the requirements, offering a 240 x 80-degrees FOV using RSI’s epic Dome 240 level D visual system. The visual features worldwide terrain, 3D ocean and interactive coastline combined with high resolution areas of interest for rotary wing training.
Close to the real thing
“The ODYSSEY™ H is as close to the real thing as you can get to give pilots the training experience they need to fly confidently before they even enter the helicopter,” asserts David Smith, Vice President of TRU’s Training Centers.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
