Leonardo opens new flight sim facility in Italy
The new Leonardo facility has space for five simulators plus other services.
Leonardo has opened a new helicopter flight simulator building – dedicated to civil and military operations – at its facility in Sesto Calende, Lombardy, northern Italy. Housing five simulators, the 6,000sqm-plus complex brings together engineering, design, development, production, assembly, integration and testing. Simulation systems are used to train pilots, crews, operators, ground staff and maintenance personnel.
Offices occupy three floors alongside a large assembly and integration area. “The most advanced simulators recreate a helicopter cockpit on a motion platform or fixed base, surrounded by a panoramic visual dome,” said the company in a statement.
Italy and Asia
The first simulators built in the new facility will serve operators in Italy and Asia. “Stronger in-house capabilities will continue to complement established industrial partnerships with specialist companies, including the RotorSim joint venture with CAE,” it said.
The new investment at the site – opened in 2006 and including Leonardo’s first helicopter training base named the A Marchetti Training Academy – supports the company’s expansion of skills and expertise. Last year more than 610 worked at the site up 30% from 2022. Disciplines include: aeronautical and computer engineers, software developers, assembly technicians, pilots and programme managers.
The site has developed systems for helicopter types and customers worldwide. Leonardo-developed systems include the A129 Mangusta helicopter simulator for Italian Army Aviation in Viterbo, the HH139 simulator for the Italian Air Force in Cervia and the NH90 helicopter simulator at the Italian Navy’s Maristaeli Luni simulation centre.
Helicopter revenues
Highlighting the importance of flight simulator training, Leonardo said that across its rotary business customer support, services and training training contributed about 42% of helicopter revenues between 2023 and 2025. In February, Leonardo posted full-year 2025 revenues up 11% to €19.5bn. Leonardo delivers helicopter training to more than 16,000 people each year.
Meanwhile, recent training developments include a focus on: digital technologies, including virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence and digital twins, enable multi-domain scenarios and allow personnel to train safely in complex situations.
The Sesto Calende facility also houses the coordination centre for technical and logistics support across Leonardo’s helicopter fleet.
Leonardo’s new Sesto Calende facility in Lombardy.
