Training centre development continues
The development of the new Helisim Simulation facility in Grand Prairie, Texas is underway and making good time.
The development of the new Helisim Simulation facility in Grand Prairie, Texas is well underway as of Tuesday 5 February: a state-of-the-art helicopter pilot and maintenance crew training centre being developed by Airbus Helicopters Inc. and Helisim.
Helisim, a joint venture of Thales and Airbus Helicopters, will oversee operations at the new simulation centre and the first stage of the new facility is scheduled for completion later in 2019, with the delivery of the first new Thales Reality H Level D full-motion flight simulator.
“Helisim is committed to improving flight safety across our industry through simulator-based training,” said Christian Cochini, CEO of Helisim. “By working closely with Airbus Helicopters Inc. and Thales, we will now be able to provide unparalleled training solutions to North American customers.”
The centre, which will house the first Level D full-motion flight simulators in North America for Airbus H145 and H175 helicopters, will provide introductory and recurrent training to thousands of pilots each year. Long term, the centre will expand to include an H160 simulator as well existing training facilities of Airbus Helicopters Inc. such as H125/AS350 full flight simulator and H135/H145 flight training device.
Vice President of Customer Support for Airbus Helicopters Inc. Anthony Baker said: “Airbus Helicopters builds some of the most innovative helicopters on the market today. The North American training centre will meet our customers’ needs for exceptional training on those aircraft.”