FlightSafety International is pleased to announce that it will expand its simulator-based Night Vision Goggle training program through a collaborative agreement with Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU).

“Our Customers will benefit from the addition of this comprehensive simulator-based NVG training to FlightSafety’s wide variety of initial, recurrent, specialty and enhancement courses designed specifically for helicopter operators,” said Scott Fera, Vice President, Marketing.

“Collaborating with FlightSafety on NVG training provides our mutual customers with many important benefits,” said ASU President Mike Atwood. “We agree that conducting NVG training in a simulator is safer and more effective than doing it in a helicopter and eliminates the need to remove the aircraft from revenue service. Utilizing simulator-based training allows the operator to conduct NVG training at any time of the day or night. In the aircraft, NVG training can only be accomplished during nighttime hours. Our team of experienced, certified trainers will now be able to train at FlightSafety facilities adding greater convenience for customers also.”

Night Vision Goggle training is currently available at FlightSafety’s Learning Center in Tucson, Arizona using the new FAA Level 7 qualified AS350 Flight Training Device. Other FlightSafety locations will offer NVG training in full flight Level D qualified simulators in the future.

The NVG training courses will provide in-depth instruction on the equipment and focus on the efficient and effective use of the goggles through scenario based and mission specific exercises.  The training can be customized to meet the specific needs of government and military agencies as well as other helicopter operators including Emergency Medical Services, Law Enforcement Agencies, Search and Rescue, Airborne Surveillance, Security and Fire and Rescue.

FlightSafety provides a wide variety of courses for pilots, maintenance technicians and other aviation professionals who operate and support helicopters manufactured by American Eurocopter, Bell Helicopter and Sikorsky as well as mission specific training programs for other aircraft types. The company offers a fleet of 15 full flight simulators and other advanced training devices located at its Helicopter Learning Centers in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas; Lafayette, Louisiana; Tucson, Arizona; West Palm Beach, Florida; and at the Farnborough airport in the United Kingdom.

Aviation Specialties Unlimited was established in 1995 to meet the growing demand for night vision systems within public and civil aviation operations. Since that time, ASU has emerged as the industry leader in sales, maintenance, training and cockpit modifications for advanced night vision technology. ASU assisted FlightSafety in the qualification and FAA approval for their AS350 Flight Training device in Tucson. ASU has modified over 600 aircraft through 18-Supplemental Type Certificates covering 53 make and model aircraft. For more information call 208.426.8117 or e-mail ASU at info@asu-nvg.com

FlightSafety International is the world’s premier professional aviation training company and supplier of flight simulators, visual systems and displays to commercial, government and military organizations. The company provides more than a million hours of training each year to pilots, technicians and other aviation professionals from 154 countries and independent territories. FlightSafety operates the world’s largest fleet of advanced full flight simulators at Learning Centers and training locations in Asia, Europe, North and South America, the Pacific Rim and South Africa.