The Opening Of The AW101 Norway Training Center Expands Leonardo's Network Of Regional Training Centers

Leonardo has officially opened its AW101 Norway Training Center at Stavanger Sola Airport. The facility houses a new AW101 Full Flight Simulator and other advanced training devices for both pilot and rear crew training. The simulator will be used for the training of Norwegian AW101 pilots and other AW101 customers.

The training center includes a new AW101 Full Flight Simulator (FFS) which will support the training of Norwegian aircrew and will also be available to other AW101 customers. The first training course at the center, for Royal Norwegian Air Force pilots, also started yesterday prior to delivery of the first two of 16 aircraft ordered by the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security for search and rescue.

“I’m delighted to officially open the AW101 Norway Training Center which enables advanced training courses to be delivered to our search and rescue aircrew here in Norway, utilizing the very latest simulation and training technologies," said Per-Willy Amundsen, Minister of Justice & Public Security, at the opening ceremony. "This facility, will not only help reduce the cost of training, but most importantly will enhance safety and enable aircrew to exploit the new capabilities the AW101 helicopter and its systems will provide in service.”

“This AW101 simulator represents the very latest in simulator technology and will enable us to deliver the very best quality training to Norwegian pilots," said Daniele Romiti, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters. "The AW101s being built for Norway are undoubtedly the most advanced and capable search and rescue helicopters in the world today and we look forward to the aircraft  entering service and serving the people of Norway for many years to come.”

The AW101 Full Flight Simulator, jointly developed by Leonardo and CAE to Level D, the highest qualification for commercial flight simulators, is a CAE Series 3000 device. Located in a new annex to the Thales Flight Training Center, the simulator is operated and managed by Leonardo Helicopters to deliver its wide range of OEM training courses. The center will also house a Royal Norwegian Air Force owned AW101 SAR console training device that is linked to the FFS to provide rear crew training.

The facility is conveniently located just 800m from Stavanger Sola Airport, making it easily accessible for aircrew from around the world to attend type conversion courses, refresher training and specialised operational training for the AW101 helicopter.

The AW101 FFS features unprecedented realism for helicopter-specific mission training, including search and rescue (SAR), offshore transport, combat SAR and naval operations. The simulator will enable pilots to practice challenging procedures, without risk, such as low-level flight, confined area operations, autorotations and landing on platforms at sea. The AW101 FFS combines a Leonardo Helicopters developed flight dynamic model, avionics and aircraft software modelling, with CAE’s core simulation technologies, including: 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 visual system; and a direct projection 210 degree by 80 degree extreme field-of-view dome display system. This new AW101 FFS also includes important mission systems such as SAR autopilot modes, digital map, radar, aircraft mission management computer, multi-purpose control and display units, cockpit display system and flotation system.  

The new AW101 service in Sola will be a dedicated satellite of Leonardo Helicopters’ Yeovil Training Academy, marking a further expansion of its Regional Training Centers.

In December 2013 Leonardo Helicopters signed a contract with the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security for 16 SAR configured AW101 helicopters plus support and training services for the initial 15 years.

(Image provided with Leonardo Company news release)

FMI: www.leonardocompany.com