FlightSafety and Air Methods to Significantly Enhance Training for Single-Engine Helicopters With Level D Qualified Simulators

NEW YORK (March 2, 2015) – FlightSafety International is building Level D qualified full flight simulators for single-engine helicopters that will significantly enhance the quality and effectiveness of training.

“Building simulators for single-engine helicopters that will be Level D qualified demonstrates our commitment to enhance safety and to provide flight crews with access to the highest quality training,” said David Davenport, Executive Vice President. “This will help those who fly single-engine helicopters to fully prepare for routine, unusual, and emergency circumstances in the safe environment of a full motion simulator that replicates the exact flying characteristics of their aircraft.”

FlightSafety entered into a comprehensive long-term agreement in December 2014 with Air Methods to provide flight simulators at its new Learning Center in Denver, Colorado. The Center will offer simulators for the single-engine Airbus AS350 B3, Airbus EC130T2, and Bell 407GX helicopters. The Airbus EC135 simulator that is currently being used by Air Methods at FlightSafety’s Learning Center in Dallas, Texas and will be the first simulator to be installed. The remaining three will enter service once FlightSafety completes the design, development, and manufacture of the simulators. The Center will also offer classrooms and a full complement of Customer service areas. It will be expanded in the future to accommodate additional full flight simulators as required. The Center is scheduled to open in 2016.

“As the leader in air medical transportation, Air Methods remains focused on safety for our people, our patients and the industry, overall,” added Aaron Todd, chief executive officer, Air Methods. “We’re excited to welcome the new simulators to our home base in Colorado. Three of the four simulators will be the first of their kind in the United States, further illustrating our commitment to the safe return of each member of our team.”

The new FlightSafety FS1000 simulators will be equipped with the industry-leading VITAL 1100 visual system, CrewView glass mirror display, electric motion control and cueing, and advanced instructor operating station.

FlightSafety International is the world’s premier professional aviation training company and supplier of flight simulators, visual systems and displays to commercial, government and military organizations. The company provides more than a million hours of training each year to pilots, technicians and other aviation professionals from 167 countries and independent territories. FlightSafety operates the world’s largest fleet of advanced full flight simulators at Learning Centers and training locations in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

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