Bell to supply flight training device for the Czech Republic

Bell Textron has signed a contract with the US government on behalf of the Czech Republic to supply an AH-1Z Flight Training Device for the Czech Air Force.

Bell has selected flight simulator manufacturer FlightSafety International and Czech simulation expert VR Group as key contractors to support the delivery of the contract.

FlightSafety will provide hardware and software, including the visual display system and control loading system, and VR Group will provide moving models for the visual database system, as well as provide support and maintenance following the training device’s delivery.

The training device will be used for simulation and training purposes for prospective pilots of the air force’s new AH-1Z and UH-1Y aircraft fleets.

The new fleets, which comprise eight UH-1Y Venom and four AH-1Z Viper helicopters, are currently being manufactured by Bell at its Amarillo Assembly Center and are scheduled to complete their final delivery by 2023. The helicopters were ordered by the Czech government as part of a US$272 million contract awarded on 4 September 2020 via the US Foreign Military Sales program.

“The flight training device will provide Czech operators with the perfect tools for familiarizing themselves with their new H-1 helicopters,” says Mike Deslatte, Bell H-1 Vice President and Program Director. “The device for the Czech Air Force will ensure training activities progress smoothly in line with the delivery of the aircraft themselves.”

The Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) also received delivery of four Bell UH-1H-II Huey II helicopters worth US$38.5 million on 4 December, which were majority funded through the US government Foreign Military Financing program.