Airbus Helicopters will install EC175 sim in the US
Airbus Helicopters will be supporting the EC175 by installing a full-flight simulator at a yet to be determined United States location.
Airbus Helicopters unveiled plans at Heli-Expo 2014 to install an EC175 Level D full-flight simulator in North America as part of its commitment to operators serving the offshore oil and gas industry.
The Level D full-flight simulator is planned to be operational in 2016, providing pilot training for the EC175 helicopter.
In addition to the flight simulator, Airbus Helicopters will be expanding and tailoring its customer support operations for helicopter transport providers serving the growing oil and gas production and exploration sector. This will involve new resources for the EC175s introduction in the Gulf of Mexico, including parts and spare supplies available at the Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas depot of the company’s US subsidiary, Airbus Helicopters, Inc.
Airbus Helicopters Inc at Grand Prairie will provide Gulf of Mexico operators with 24/7 technical support, AOG (aircraft on ground) service response, rapid spare parts distribution and other services for the EC175 as well as the complete Airbus Helicopters product line.
Marc Paganini, president and chief executive of Airbus Helicopters, Inc. said: “We are making a major commitment, backed by significant investments, to provide industry leading support and services in the U.S. for the offshore oil and gas industry.”
“Our goal is to provide a mature helicopter from the EC175s service entry, supported by a dedicated task force and tools that include validated support and services deliverables, along with established training capabilities. We will be there to support our customers when they need it, where they need it, at any time of the day,” added Paganini.
The EC175 was certificated in January, with the first deliveries planned for later in the year.
As part of its investment in support and services resources, Airbus Helicopters will also install an EC175 Level D full-flight simulator at its Marignane, France, headquarters this summer. This will allow pilot training to begin prior to the first deliveries.