Singapore-based simulator now gives SAR training

Airbus Helicopters AS365 N2 (Credit: Anthony Pecchi)

The Airbus Helicopters AS365 Dauphin simulator at Singapore is the only such training device equipped with the CMA9000 system that gives realistic training for search and rescue.

The AS365 Dauphin rotorcraft full-flight simulator at Airbus Helicopters’ Singapore-based training centre has been upgraded to provide highly realistic training in both day and night search and rescue (SAR) operations.

The upgrade was made by Airbus Helicopters Southeast Asia at its Seletar Aerospace Park facility. This will enable flight crews to experience the operational environment during SAR missions while using the CMA9000 system and APM 2010 autopilot.

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Derek Sharples, managing director of Airbus Helicopters south-east Asia, says: “Airbus Helicopters’ firm commitment to flight safety is underscored by our upgrade of the flight simulator, which becomes the only system of its type in the world with this SAR mission training capability.”

“Operators who fly Dauphin family rotorcraft, in particular the AS365 N3/N3+ civil version and the Panther AS565 MBe military variant, will benefit greatly from this training to handle SAR, which is one of the most challenging missions,” added Sharples.

Sharples continued that pilots qualified on other aircraft that are equipped with the same systems also could utilise the simulator as a training device for system knowledge and familiarity

Search and rescue training with the newly enhanced full flight simulator at Airbus Helicopters Southeast Asia begins in March 2015, with the Royal Thai Police as the inaugural customer.

The Royal Thai Police operates one AS365 N3+ Dauphin configured for SAR missions with the CMA9000 flight management system. A second similarly-equipped AS365 N3+ will be delivered to the Royal Thai Police later this year.