Story ID: 323
Coptersafety Expands FAA Part 142 Helicopter Training
By: Matt Thurber
Caption: The training is approved by the FAA under Part 142 regulations
Word Count: 355
Helsinki, Finland-based Coptersafety’s Part 142 pilot training programs now enable FAA-certificated pilots to train in the company’s Airbus H145D2, CAE-built Leonardo AW139, and TRU-built AW139 level-D-qualified simulators. In addition to the H145 and AW139 simulators, Coptersafety offers training in its H125 and AW169 simulators. Pilots can train for type ratings, get initial and recurrent training, and complete airline transport pilot certificate programs.
According to company chief theoretical knowledge instructor Matt Presnal, Coptersafety “is the first and only independent international Part 142 helicopter simulator training center in Northern Europe. We are proud that our H145D2 simulator is the first one qualified by the FAA outside of the United States, as well as the first H145D2 qualified for [night vision goggle (NVG)] training tasks outside of the United States.”
Coptersafety's in-house modeling team develops custom scenarios “in known geographical locations.” Immersive and realistic training features include cockpit vibration, smoke generation, 3D clouds, night, and night-vision imaging system/NVG visual scenes.
In addition to FAA Part 142 and EASA approvals, Coptersafety is a UK CAA-approved training organization and holds Saudi Arabia GACA training center status.
At its exhibit this week at Heli-Expo 2024, Coptersafety is premiering "From the Ground Up," a short documentary about helicopter pilots and safety. It was created by Coptersafety marketing manager Isabella Presnal and features Norwegian Air Ambulance pilot Andreas Hjert; aerial work pilot Kristian Krog, who flies for Pegasus Helicopter; and HeliService’s Marthijn over de Linden, who flies and hoists wind turbine technicians in the North Sea.
The film is intended to show seasoned pilots and “to debunk movie misconceptions about helicopter safety,” according to Coptersafety.
“I grew up moving around the world for my father’s career in aviation,” said Presnal, “and helicopters have been part of my life since I was a baby. I was tired of the false narrative Hollywood movies paint about helicopters. Creating documentaries that educate and evoke emotional responses is my passion, and I knew I needed to make a film about the rotor industry’s most important factor—safety.”