FlightSafety’s Sikorsky S-92® Helicopter Simulator Receives FAA & CAA Level D Qualification
LA GUARDIA AIRPORT, NEW YORK (December 4, 2007) – FlightSafety International announced today that its second Sikorsky S-92 full flight simulator has been qualified to the highest standards by the United States Federal Aviation Administration and the Civil Aviation Authority in the United Kingdom. The FAA and JAR Level D qualifications were awarded following a joint evaluation of the simulator conducted at FlightSafety’s London Farnborough Training Center. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX)
“This is a clear demonstration of our ability to deliver advanced technology training products and high quality professional training services,” said Bruce Whitman, President & CEO, FlightSafety International. “We appreciate the support we have received from Sikorsky and the confidence they have in us to provide professional training that meets and exceeds the needs of S-92 helicopter operators.”
“The qualification of this new simulator demonstrates FlightSafety’s continued commitment to meet the growing training requirements of our mutual customers and keeping pace with the growing fleet of Sikorsky Aircraft in Europe, Russia, the Middle East and Africa,” said Stephen Estill, Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.
Training using this new S-92 helicopter simulator will begin immediately at FlightSafety’s London Farnborough Center in the United Kingdom. The Center can accommodate up to 15 full flight simulators and has the capacity to train 3,800 aviation professionals annually. It offers 27 interactive classrooms, facilities for advanced technology training devices, 30 briefing rooms and customer service areas.
FlightSafety also offers factory-authorized training for Sikorsky aircraft at its Learning Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. The center’s highly qualified instructors provide Sikorsky S-92 helicopter, Sikorsky S-76 helicopter and Sikorsky S-70 helicopter training for pilots, aircraft maintenance technicians and other aviation professionals on a fleet of five FlightSafety built full flight simulators.
This new S-92 helicopter simulator is equipped with FlightSafety’s industry leading electric motion and control loading system. Simulators equipped with this technology offer the highest level of aircraftfidelity, enhanced performance and increased availability due to a reduction in maintenance requirements and increased reliability.
The simulators also offer environmental advantages compared to previous generation devices as they produce less heat, lower levels of ambient noise and provide a safer environment due to the elimination of the risks often associated with hydraulic fluids as well as our dependency on petroleum products. The simulator also features FlightSafety’s advanced VITAL visual system offering highly detailed, texture enhanced scenes and excels in its realistic presentation of both routine and critical weather conditions.
FlightSafety International is the world’s premier aviation training organization. Over 75,000 pilots, technicians and other aviation professionals train at FlightSafety facilities each year. The company designs and manufactures full flight simulators for civil and military aircraft programs and operates the world’s largest fleet of advanced full flight simulators at 40 training locations.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., USA, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacturing and service. The company’s mission statement reflects its long commitment to safety and innovation: “We pioneer flight solutions that bring people home everywhere … every time™. “ United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., USA, provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.