North American Airbus Helicopter Pilots Soon to Enjoy World Class Training Services With Thales

At an event hosted by Airbus Helicopters a the HAI Heliexpo show in Las Vegas today, Thales, Airbus and Helisim unveiled their strategic plans for the next chapter in their 18 year history.

Helisim will open a training centre within the Airbus Helicopters Training Academy, in Grand Prairie, near Dallas, Texas. The Helisim Training Centre will support training for AS350 and EC135/EC145. It will host two Thales Reality H, Level D Full Flight Simulators for the H145, and H175, and will propose simulation training for light, light twin and medium aircraft types.

''When we first embarked on this partnership with Airbus, our primary goal was to ensure the next generation of helicopter pilots worked in an industry with the same safety record as those in the fixed wing market. The quality and level of training Helisim offers to pilots has gone a long way to accomplish that goal. We are proud to continue this legacy with them on this new venture.'' Benoit Plantier, Thales Vice President, Training and Simulation

Plans are already underway to bring the first H145T2 and H175 Level D simulator in North America to support the impressive demand from customers for the aircraft type.  With the construction of a new welcome center and additional simulator facilities, Helisim is also positioning itself to support future H160 customer training needs.

''With this expansion, we will be able to provide world class helicopter flight and maintenance training for our customers in one convenient location. Expanding our capabilities with H145 and H175 Level D simulators will allow customers to optimize their training programs and benefit from the expertise that we can provide onsite at our headquarters in the U.S.'' Christopher Emerson,  President, Airbus Helicopters Inc. Head of the North America region

The new facility will offer the full spectrum of helicopter training needs, from classroom and hands-on instruction to the two Thales Reality H Level D Full Flight Simulators for H145 and H175 helicopters. Reality H is the most advanced helicopter simulator on the market, perfectly suited to flight and mission training on these two Airbus Helicopters models, the newest, most high-tech civil helicopter models on the market, just entering into wide use over the Americas.

The initial investment for the Airbus Helicopters Training Academy is estimated to be about $40 million. Once the center enters into operation it is expected to train several thousand pilots per year both for introductory and recurrent training.

''This facility near Dallas represents the first international expansion of Helisim, a worldwide leader in the helicopter simulation industry. We look forward to offering our services to the North American market.'' Christian Cochini,  President, Helisim