Academy Proves Popular Thanks to Full-Motion Bell 429 Sim

Bell Training Academy in Valencia, Spain welcomed around 200 students to training using its nifty facilities, its crown jewel being a fully certified Bell 429 Level D Full Flight Simulator.

The sim has been a hot commodity, with more than 1,000 hours logged this year alone. The school offers rotary-wing students a chance to experience 'flight' conditions that would otherwise be untenable in real-world operations, whether instrument weather, disorientation, or equipment failure.

“I really enjoy talking to the pilots to learn about their experience, not only in the simulator and during their training but also their daily activity flying different missions," said Patricia Charcos, Valencia Training Centre Manager. "It’s rewarding to hear how useful the simulator training is to help pilots prepare in case of an emergency or a malfunction.”

“A few weeks ago, I attended the BTA in Valencia to do an initial type rating and found that the simulator exceeded all expectations," “A few weeks ago, I attended the BTA in Valencia to do an initial type rating and found that the simulator exceeded all expectations. The visual system is close to reality and once you are immersed in the training you don’t realize you are flying in a simulator. I was able to perform all training maneuvers - especially malfunctions and emergencies – enabling me to understand and learn how the helicopter responds in the unlikely event of these failures. "The visual system is close to reality and once you are immersed in the training you don’t realize you are flying in a simulator. I was able to perform all training maneuvers - especially malfunctions and emergencies – enabling me to understand and learn how the helicopter responds in the unlikely event of these failures."

FMI: www.bellflight.com