An Australian company has developed what it claims is the first affordable helicopter flight simulator. Geosim Technologies unveiled its AUD$70,000 sim in Brisbane on Friday after it received certification from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The company says it’s one of only three helicopter simulators available and is half the price of the others. That, said Paul Brederick, the managing director of Aviation Australia, will make the Aussie device accessible to cash-strapped GA operators where helicopters are most often found. By enhancing training at the grassroots level, Brederick said it’s hoped that the accident rate for helicopters can be reduced. Brederick said a U.S. study found that 81 percent of 3,000 fatal chopper crashes in the last 40 years were attributable to skills deficiencies. The new simulator will get its first workout with Australian Helicopters, which operates nighttime coastal surveillance flights in the Torres Strait area. CEO David Earley said the demanding flying of his operation requires extra training and the new simulator should be able to help.
“Affordable” Helicopter Simulator Makes Debut
Key Takeaways:
- Geosim Technologies, an Australian company, has developed and received certification for an affordable helicopter flight simulator priced at AUD$70,000.
- The simulator is half the cost of other available options, making it accessible to cash-strapped general aviation operators.
- It is hoped that by enhancing grassroots training, the simulator will help reduce helicopter accident rates, as many fatal crashes are linked to skills deficiencies.
- Australian Helicopters will be among the first to use the new simulator for demanding surveillance operations.
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