The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Environmental Tectonics Corporation's Polish Subsidiary, ETC-PZL, Announces the Award of a Major Government Grant to Develop and Market Driver Training Simulators

Simulators to be Sold Commercially after Completion

SOUTHAMPTON, Pa., June 2 -- Environmental Tectonics Corporation (Pink Sheets: ETCC) ("ETC" or the "Company") today announced that on May 11, 2009 their Polish subsidiary ETC-PZL Aerospace Industries Ltd. ("ETC-PZL") entered into a contract with the Polish Government to develop and produce two high level driver training simulators, one of which will be designed for bus driver training and the other for motor truck driver training. These simulators will be developed in conjunction with the Warsaw Technical University, who will act as a subcontractor to ETC-PZL. ETC-PZL has also signed a contract to sell the two simulators to a commercial customer in Poland upon completion. The project including grant funds and the sale has a total value of 8.7 million Polish zloty (approximately $2.7 million) and a completion period of 16 months.

The first stage of the program will be conducting experimental research of a bus and a truck in order to take measurements of their characteristics and parameters, based on which further mathematics models will be developed. The models in turn will enable ETC-PZL to develop software faithfully reproducing motion dynamics of every simulated vehicle. These works will be carried out under supervision of The Warsaw University of Technology -Transportation Faculty in co-operation with the Polish research institute engaged in automotive issues.

The simulators manufactured by ETC-PZL will incorporate the latest in technology and computer techniques. Modular structure of software will facilitate modification and upgrades as required. The simulators will be equipped with ETC-PZL's state-of-the-art six Degree of Freedom ("6 DoF) motion system and a visualization system with a screen of not less than 180 degrees horizontal field of view.

The devices will simulate the full experience of driving a bus or three types of truck driving applications (a cab, a truck with a trailer and a truck-tractor with a semi-trailer). They will allow the student to improve their driving skills under almost every terrain and road and weather condition. The simulators will train the student in economical driving with optimum fuel consumption and optimum wear of the brake system. In addition, the simulators will assess the reactions of a trained driver in difficult and unplanned driving situations.

Anna Brzozowska, President of ETC-PZL, stated, "Development of these simulators will add an important new product to our commercial line. We anticipate the driving training market to be a potential growth area. Hopefully the use of these simulators will lead to the development of regional training centers by local and international motor transport companies."

For over 20 years ETC-PZL has specialized in the design and production of simulators and training devices for both military and civilian customers.

ETC was incorporated in 1969 in Pennsylvania and this year we will celebrate our 40th anniversary. Our core technologies include the design, manufacture and sale of Training Services (TSG) which includes (1) software driven products and services used to create and monitor the physiological effects of flight; (2) high performance jet tactical flight simulation; (3) driving and disaster simulation systems, and Control Systems (CSG) which includes: (1) steam and gas sterilization; (2) testing and simulation devices for the automotive industry; (3) hyperbaric and hypobaric chambers. Product categories included in TSG are Aircrew Training Systems (ATS) and flight simulators, disaster management systems and entertainment applications. CSG includes sterilizers, environmental control devices and hyperbaric chambers along with parts and service support.