FlightSafety International continues to expand its support for the helicopter industry with investments in new simulators, training programs and visual systems.

“We are proud to have served the helicopter industry for more than 25 years,” said Bruce Whitman, President & CEO. “FlightSafety is investing in high-quality training programs, advanced technology simulators, training devices and visual systems for current and next-generation helicopters to support the present and future training needs of our Customers and other operators around the world.”

The number of training events FlightSafety provides to helicopter operators has increased steadily in the past five years as a result of the company’s ongoing investment in new training programs, simulators and facilities.

During this period, FlightSafety built a dedicated Helicopter Learning Center in Lafayette, Louisiana equipped with Level D qualified simulators for Sikorsky S-76C+/C++ and S-92 helicopters, and Level 7 qualified flight training devices for the Bell 206B/206L and Bell 407. FlightSafety also added Level D qualified simulators for the Eurocopter EC135 in Dallas, Texas; the  Sikorsky S-76C+/C++ in West Palm Beach, Florida; the Sikorsky S-92 at the Farnborough airport in the United Kingdom; and a Level 7 qualified flight training device for the Eurocopter AS350 in Tucson, Arizona.

VITAL X visual systems have been installed on all of the company’s simulators and flight training devices for helicopters. Visual database enhancements include a comprehensive model of New York City, imagery specific to EMS operators, and scenes for offshore operations such as heliports in the Gulf of Mexico and highly detailed oil platforms.

Other training programs added by FlightSafety to support helicopter operators include maintenance technician training in Brisbane, Australia with Sikorsky Helitech, training for Pratt & Whitney Canada engines at 12 locations around the world, and a simulator-based Night Vision Goggle training program through a collaborative agreement with Aviation Specialties Unlimited.

With the upcoming addition of new Level D qualified simulators for the AgustaWestland AW139 in Lafayette, Louisiana and the Sikorsky S-76D in West Palm Beach, Florida, FlightSafety will offer a fleet of 17 simulators and advanced flight training devices for helicopters located in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas; Lafayette, Louisiana; Tucson, Arizona; West Palm Beach, Florida; and at the Farnborough airport in the United Kingdom.

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, South Africa and the United Kingdom.