King Schools and Redbird Announce Parrot, A.I. ATC for Simulators

OSHKOSH, WI, (July 28, 2010) – John and Martha King of King Schools and Redbird Flight Simulations unveiled Redbird’s Parrot project, an artificial intelligence driven radio communications training system designed to operate with all of Redbird’s FAA certified flight training devices.  The Kings demonstrated Parrot running on a Redbird TD at the EAA AirVenture Press Headquarters today.

“Students tell us that one of the major things that causes them anxiety when they are learning to fly is the radio,” John King commented.  Added Martha, “With Parrot there is a technological solution that will make learning to talk on the radio fun and stress-free.”

Said Jerry Gregoire, Redbird Chairman and Founder, “This is virtual Air Traffic Control interacting via voice with a live student within a flight simulation session and requiring no input from the instructor. The pilot talks to the computer, the computer understands and replies as ATC would in real flight situations. This intelligent and sophisticated technology will enable students to learn how to properly communicate on the radio without adding to the flight instructor’s workload.  Parrot will even work for pilots for whom English is a second language, making it an ideal training tool for flight schools instructing foreign students.”

Parrot can be used with all of Redbird’s FAA approved flight training devices including the FMX, SD, LD, MX2 and the TD and TD2.  Unlike other communications training software, Parrot is aware of what is going on during a simulation session including aircraft position, radio frequencies that are in range of the aircraft, frequencies that the aircraft is tuned to, and weather conditions. “Being aware” allows Parrot to accurately simulate ATIS, clearance, ground, tower, departure, and approach communications services during a simulator training session.  This immersive new approach to teaching ATC communications assures more effective and accurate training, enabling pilots to communicate with confidence.

Parrot will be marketed exclusively by King Schools. It will go into a limited number of customer installations in the 4th quarter of 2010 and will be available to all Redbird customers in the 1st quarter of 2011.