Story ID: 326
FAA Qualifies Coptersafety Level D Simulators
By: Matt Thurber
Caption: Finland-based Coptersafety offers pilot training in the Airbus Helicopters H145 and Leonardo AW139 and AW169.
Word Count: 331
Training provider Coptersafety is demonstrating its EASA-approved online ground training at Heli-Expo (Booth C4237) and highlighting its Airbus Helicopters H145D2 and Leonardo AW139 full-flight simulators, which received Level D qualification late last year by the FAA’s National Simulator Program.
Located at Coptersafety’s training center four minutes from Finland’s Helsinki International Airport, the simulators can provide realistic training that includes cockpit vibration, smoke generation, 3D clouds, night, and NVIS/NVG visual scenes.
The H145D2 simulator, a TRU Odyssey equipped with a Collins EP-8100 visual system and Step II Helionix avionics, is the first such simulator qualified by the FAA outside the U.S., according to Coptersafety. It also is the first H145D2 simulator qualified outside the U.S. for NVG training.
One of the AW139 simulators, fitted with Phase 7 avionics, is also made by TRU Simulation + Training, while the other is a CAE simulator with Phase 5 avionics.
During the Covid pandemic, Coptersafety deployed virtual classrooms and an online learning portal so customers could access ground training without traveling. There are 120 modules available for the AW139, AW169, and H145, and Coptersafety provides instructor-led courses online “with interactive presentations and discussions.” Even now, with travel resuming, students can better prepare for their on-site training by studying the learning portal material ahead of time.
In the simulator, students can fly realistic scenarios customized by the Coptersafety visual model team, including known geographic locations and landing sites and various scenes. Also available are airborne radar approaches, offshore standard approach procedures, and NVG training.
“We at Coptersafety are excited to continue our expansion of our training capabilities, and with the addition of FAA Level-D qualified full flight simulators, customers can focus on pilot training in a simulator with the highest level of qualification and capabilities,” said Matthew Presnal, chief theoretical knowledge instructor responsible for Coptersafety’s FAA programs.