On 29 February 2012, the first example of Thales’ new Reality H Dauphin N3/N3+ helicopter simulator was granted FTD Level 3 and FFS Level B qualification by the French civil aviation authority (DGAC). The Reality H simulator is based on the new generation of Thales products, designed to maximise training capacity and availability while offering greater ease of installation, operation and maintenance.
The system for this dedicated Dauphin N3/N3+ version of the simulator was developed by Thales and Eurocopter, which supplied the helicopter flight modelling software. FTD Level 3 and FFS Level B qualification, in accordance with European JAR/EASA criteria, allows this latest-generation system to be used for Dauphin N3 helicopter type-rating training as well as recurrent training to support annual revalidation of pilot licences.
The simulator can be used in place of an actual helicopter to conduct annual operator proficiency checks (OPC). It can also be incorporated as part of an ab-initio training programme leading to a commercial pilot’s licence for helicopters (CPLH) or air transport pilot’s licence for helicopters (ATPLH), including instrument rating (IR) and corresponding proficiency checks (PC). Thanks to its ability to reconstruct flight environment, it can also be used to conduct line checks.
This state-of-the-art simulator will further strengthen Heli-Union’s pilot instruction and training capabilities, in particular for onshore and offshore operations in support of oil andgas exploration and production programmes, which are some of the most demanding in the field of civil air transportation.
The European leader in simulation solutions, Thales has delivered more than 110 helicopter simulators to customers in 25 countries around the world.