Teams with Brazilian Air Force Academics To Teach Rotorcraft Technology, Launches Black Hawk Training Center in Colombia

Sikorsky made two announcements regarding training in South America during the LAAD Defense and Security Exhibition being held in Rio de Janeiro. The company has has signed a Letter of Interest (LOI) with the Brazilian Instituto Tecnologico de Aeronautica (ITA) to establish a Rotorcraft Innovation Team. Rated as one of the top universities in Brazil in engineering and related fields, ITA is a federal government institution dedicated to provide high level education and research in the fields of Aerospace, Science and Technology.

In Colombia, Sikorsky Aerospace Services has opened a new UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter Flight Simulator Training Center at the Colombian Air Force Base in Melgar. The first of its kind in South America, the center provides pilot and flight crew training for the Colombian Armed Services and Sikorsky military customers throughout the region. Sikorsky Aerospace Services, Sikorsky's aftermarket business, is overseeing training and support efforts in Colombia.

The collaboration in Brazil will accelerate the development of rotorcraft technologists in Brazil, whose military already flies both Black Hawk and Seahawk helicopters, and will increase student and faculty exposure to rotorcraft. Sikorsky will provide mentoring to assist with these classes at the graduate and undergraduate levels. It also will support the procurement of relevant hardware and software to enable rotorcraft research.

As part of the collaboration, ITA will augment its already robust aerospace engineering program to provide curriculum related to rotorcraft, including experienced staff to instruct this new material, and provide faculty and student support for research related to rotorcraft.

"We are very pleased to collaborate with Brazil's Instituto Tecnologico de Aeronautica and to assist in the training of the next generation of aerospace leaders. As Sikorsky celebrates its 90th Anniversary of aviation innovation, we are excited to further encourage and enable rotorcraft innovation growth with a recognized academic leader in Brazil," said Sikorsky President Mick Maurer.

"We welcome Sikorsky's participation to work with us in growing our education curriculum to include rotorcraft design," said ITA Rector Carlos Americo Pacheco. "We look forward to working with one of the world's top helicopter companies to educate our outstanding engineering students."

The new training center in Colombia offers the region's only full motion, high fidelity, FAA Level D Equivalent Black Hawk simulator – the highest qualification currently available. Equipped with industry leading motion and control loading technology, it offers a highly detailed cockpit replication of all controls and aircraft systems including wide-field outside-world visual systems. All components are mounted on six degree-of-freedom motion platforms that respond to pilot control movements and external aerodynamic factors. 

"Operating the world's fourth-largest Black Hawk fleet, Colombia is a longtime strategic customer and valued partner," said David Adler, SAS President. "Based on their fleet requirements, SAS continues to expand in-country aftermarket services. In fact last year we doubled the maintenance support team and expanded depot capabilities for crash and battle damaged aircraft. The new training facility will further improve the operational readiness of the Colombian Armed Services. Additionally, it's a major milestone that exemplifies our overall commitment to Sikorsky customers in Latin America."

The Black Hawk simulator is housed in a special purpose facility. Overseeing the project is Corporacion de la Industria Aeronautica de Colombia (CIAC), an aerospace support provider for the Colombian Ministry of Defense.  The training center is staffed with experienced Black Hawk pilots serving as simulator operators and maintenance personnel to keep the simulator in optimum operational state. 

FMI: www.sikorsky.com