EASA approves Caverton training centre and Thales AW139 simulator

It is the first Reality H system operational in Africa. Developed in France, the AW139 Full Flight Simulator offers pilots an immersive experience with faithful reproduction of their operational missions, to train in safety for a variety of complex situations (adverse weather conditions, helicopter failures and emergencies), that could occur in the real flight operations 

Having been approved by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the Caverton Aviation Training Centre, located within the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria, is now able to commence commercial training operations for AW139 helicopter operators based in the African continent. 

Modifying key aspects to suit Africa’s environment 

Aderemi Makanjuola, Chairman of Caverton Offshore Support Group, commented: “We are excited to have reached this significant milestone of the qualification of our organization and the simulator. We selected the Thales Reality H product because of its features and the fact that we could modify key aspects to suit our operating environment in Africa.” 

Peter Hitchcock, Vice President for Thales’s Training & Simulation business, added: “Reality H is ideally suited to the type of missions flown by helicopter pilots today and the special skills they need to develop. It offers high levels of performance and unparalleled realism and flexibility.” 

Meanwhile, Thales has completed the first flight of a half-scale prototype of its UAS 100 long-range unmanned air system.