World’s First AW189 Full-Flight Simulator Certified And Approved For Training

The world's first AW189 full-flight simulator (FFS) today was certified Level D by ENAC (the Italian Civil Aviation Authority) and the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA).

Rotorsim, the joint venture owned equally by CAE and AgustaWestland, today made the announcement.

The new CAE 3000 Series AW189 FFS is installed in the new simulation building at AgustaWestland's A. Marchetti Training Academy in Sesto Calende, Italy. The Training Academy now has capacity for nine FFSs and five FTDs (Flight Training Devices), further expanding the AgustaWestland training capabilities in Italy as part of its global capability.

The AW189 FFS was developed jointly by AgustaWestland and CAE, and will be operated by Rotorsim. The CAE 3000 Series helicopter mission simulator features unprecedented realism for helicopter-specific mission training, including offshore Oil and Gas Producer (OGP), Search and Rescue (SAR), law enforcement and other types of operations. The simulator enables pilots to practice -- without risk -- challenging procedures such as low-level flight, confined area operations, autorotation and landing on platforms at sea, according to an official statement.

The AW189 FFS being introduced by Rotorsim will support AgustaWestland in delivering operational training to its rapidly expanding number of AW189 operators. At present, the AW189 has been ordered in more than 130 units, including options and framework agreements.

John Ponsonby, Senior Vice President, Customer Support & Training Services at AgustaWestland said, "This represents yet another significant event for the AW189 this year as the training service for this new platform is now available to our customers to support safe operations and crew readiness. This new AW189 training capability will be the first of several planned regional training services, utilizing the latest simulator technologies to provide operational and mission-specific training."

The CAE 3000 Series AW189 FFS features AgustaWestland flight dynamics and aircraft systems modelling, combined with the AgustaWestland avionics and sensors simulation software. The core CAE simulation technologies include: CAE True six Degree-of-Freedom (DOF) electric motion system and high-performance vibration platform to replicate
vibration cues critical to helicopter pilots; a high-fidelity CAE Medallion-6000 image generator; and a direct projection 210 degree by 80 degree extreme field-of-view dome display system.

The simulator handling and flight performances are modeled and tested using a
comprehensive real helicopter flight data package and the combined experience of AgustaWestland and CAE pilots and engineers.

Last February, two separate training agreements have laid the foundation for the global market of the AW189. Gulf Helicopters has placed an order with AgustaWestland for an AW189 EASA CS-FSTD(H) FFS Level C simulator to support the company's pilot development training needs for its fleet of 15 AW189 helicopters.

The simulator is to be delivered in Offshore Oil and Gas configuration and is set to expand Gulf Helicopters' training capability as an AgustaWestland Authorized Training Centre (ATC) and regional hub.

Additionally, Rotorsim announced the purchase of a second AW189 full-flight simulator to be deployed to a training centre in Aberdeen, Scotland.