RNZAF gains new helicopter simulator
Canadian aircraft simulator manufacturer CAE has announced a deal with the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) in which it will provide RNZAF with a CAE 700MR Series NH90 flight training device (FTD).
Canadian aircraft simulator manufacturer CAE has announced a deal with the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) in which it will provide RNZAF with a CAE 700MR Series NH90 flight training device (FTD).
The contract has been valued at more than CA$50 million, says CAE, and will include the provision of long-term maintenance and support services upon delivery of the simulator to RNZAF Base Ohakea in 2020.
“Increased use of New Zealand-based simulators is the best way to train and sustain the number of pilots in the fleet,” said New Zealand Minister for Defence Ron Mark. “The availability of in-country simulator-based flight training will reduce the need to use NH90s for training flights, ensuring the helicopters are available for more operational tasking.”
According to CAE. The new simulator offers ‘an immersive and realistic training environment in a fixed-based platform that includes a dynamic seat for vibration and motion cueing’. It also features the CAE Medallion-6000XR image generator and an extreme field-of-view visual display system (240 degrees horizontal by 88 degrees vertical). The CAE 700MR is designed specifically for military helicopter flight and mission training.
“We are pleased the New Zealand Defence Force has once again placed its trust and confidence in CAE to deliver a high-fidelity training system and comprehensive training support services that will contribute to the mission readiness of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s NH90 helicopter aircrews,” said Ian Bell, CAE’s Vice-President and General Manager, Asia-Pacific/Middle East.