Leonardo trains Norwegian Air Force SAR team
Training will focus on multi-crew co-operation, advanced automation and mission systems, and use of the Leonardo Osprey 30 radar
The Leonardo Norway Training Centre (NTC) is currently training the latest Royal Norwegian Air Force SAR crew as they make the move from the Sea King helicopter to the AW101 SAR Queen.
The training is expected to take three weeks and the crew will form the third SAR base in Norway, operating from the Banak peninsula.
Flight handling and multi-crew operation
The NTC is able to train both pilots and system operators with its suite of simulators, including a Level D Full Flight simulator and a System Operator Console Simulator.
Training will focus principally on flight handling skills and operating the advanced technologies onboard the SAR Queen fleet. Richard Fox, Norwegian Programme Lead Pilot Instructor at Leonardo Helicopters (UK), said: “Emphasis is placed on multi-crew co-operation, the glass cockpit, advanced automation and mission systems, including the game-changing Leonardo Osprey 30 radar.”
The current trainees are the 20th crew to be trained at the Leonardo Norway training program since May 2016, and will join the 330 Squadron.
Norway has been home to multiple SAR/HEMS crew innovation, including the Norwegian Air Ambulance’s integrated three-crew concept.
Khai Trung Le
Khai Trung Le is Editor of AirMed&Rescue. He is an experienced science writer, having previously been embedded in Cardiff University College of Physical Sciences, Innovate UK research council, and the UK Institute of Material Sciences. His writing can also be found on Star Trek and Vice.