Story ID: 
AW’s Italy training center growing
By: Charles Alcock
Caption: Now in operation for more than three years, AgustaWestland’s Alessandro Marchetti helicopter training academy in Italy is continuing to expand the scope of
Word Count: 209
Now in operation for more than three years, AgustaWestland’s Alessandro Marchetti helicopter training academy in Italy is continuing to expand the scope of the training provided there. The facility, situated in Sesto Calende close to the group’s headquarters at Cascina Costa about 40 miles north of Milan, offers advanced integrated training packages that include multimedia systems to prepare pilots for tasks such as flight and mission planning, and provides standard full-flight simulator training and an array of training devices. It is equipped with level-D simulators for both the AW109 and AW139 series. A new simulator for the NH-90 military transport is now under development. Other technology offered includes a 3-D virtual cockpit for pilot familiarization sessions and the center is fully equipped for the latest multicrew coordination courses. Maintenance training is also provided at the site, and distance learning instruction can be provided.AgustaWestland operates a training-management system to schedule training sessions for operators, as well as manage the various training resources and maintain records of students. The Sesto Calende academy complements the training provided at the company’s North American training facilities in Philadelphia and Morristown, N.J. The Italian center also incorporates AgustaWestland’s Rotorsim training joint venture with CAE, which also runs the Morristown center.