European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co.‘s (EADS) Eurocopter and its Brazilian subsidiary Helibras this week introduced plans for the first flight simulator for helicopters in Latin America.
“Eurocopter’s strategy is to develop its support and services activity and to promote a proactive pilot training policy,” Lutz Bertling, Eurocopter’s president said at the Latin America Aerospace & Defense (LAAD) show in Rio de Janeiro.
The flight simulator will be operational in two years time in the state of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, and is designed to recreate the cockpit environment and missions of a EC725 helicopter.
According to Eurocopter, the simulator will help train the pilots who will fly the 50 military EC725 helicopters that will be built for the first time on Helibras’ assembly lines in Itajuba, in the state of Minas Gerais.
The simulators are designed to improve flight safety by providing optimal training regardless of weather conditions and aircraft availability and simulating the toughest missions in complete safety, the company said.
Over the last few months, Eurocopter has introduced several simulators for the EC225 in France, the EC135 in Germany and the United States, and the NH90 in Germany.
The forthcoming introduction of the EC725 simulator in Brazil and in Malaysia will broaden the company’s offerings and meet the expectations of customers in this growing area of strategic importance, Bertling said.