Toll Helicopters has announced that it has signed agreements with Leonardo-Finmeccanica to deliver the new AgustaWestland AW139 Level D full flight simulator (FFS). This establishes Toll Helicopters as the sole authorized training center for the Australasian region, delivering the full suite of Leonardo’s AW139 pilot training packages.
The AW139 full flight simulator, jointly developed by Leonardo and CAE, has been installed within Toll’s new state-of-the-art helicopter operational training center in Sydney. The center has successfully passed full Level D Flight Simulator Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) accreditation and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) technical accreditation and is the first civil helicopter simulator to achieve both EASA and CASA recognition in Australia.
Initial feedback from pilots has been very positive about the quality of the device, its training capabilities and the unmatched level of realism of the synthetic flight experience.
“I am delighted to be part of the skilled teams of Leonardo, CAE and Toll, that have collaborated to deliver the Toll AW139 Level D FFS, which is now ready for training,” said Chris Andretzke, Toll’s in-house flight test engineer. “The fidelity achieved by combining the OEM [original equipment manufacturer] flight model and aircraft systems, with the CAE300 platform built by the world leader in flight training devices, is unrivalled. Being part of the existing AW139 FFS network will provide ongoing benefits through timely upgrades to the device, keeping it closely aligned with the AW139 aircraft as enhanced capabilities are introduced.”
The simulator has on-board and off-board instructor operator consoles, including the ability to drive the simulator from the cockpit through a mobile tablet instructor/operator console. Existing instructional staff qualified on the CAE Series 3000 FFS will have their IOS qualification recognized by Toll, allowing a seamless and risk free transition onto the simulator for all crews.
The authorized training center for Australia’s first AW139 Level D full flight motion simulator is in Sydney, New South Wales, which includes facilities for maintenance, crew training, the latest high fidelity virtual reality crewman and integrated crew training simulator and full helicopter underwater escape training facilities. Toll’s Aeromedical Crewing Excellence (ACE) training center is the most advanced training center internationally, providing totally integrated technical and non-technical training for the first time.
The Authorized Training Centre Agreement will establish Toll Helicopters as a regional center for the delivery of OEM AW139 training courses fully compliant with Leonardo’s standards.
“We are extremely proud to be appointed for the region by Leonardo-Finmeccanica,” said Mark Delany, general manager, Toll Helicopters. “This allows us to provide OEM supported training to all AW139 operations in the region. To have full access to Leonardo’s training systems, courseware and technical support models guarantees the highest quality and fidelity of training for all air crews.”
