Will Recreate Cockpit Environment Of EC725

Eurocopter and its Brazilian subsidiary Helibras announced this week the introduction of the first flight simulator for helicopters in Latin America at the Latin America Aerospace & Defense (LAAD) show in Rio de Janeiro.

The flight simulator which will be operational in two years time in the state of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, will be designed to recreate the cockpit environment and missions of a EC725 helicopter. It will be used notably to train the pilots who will fly the 50 military EC725 helicopters that will be built for the first time on Helibras' assembly lines in Itajubá, in the state of Minas Gerais.

Eurocopter says the simulator will improve flight safety by providing optimal training regardless of weather conditions and aircraft availability and simulating the toughest missions in complete safety.

"Eurocopter's strategy is to develop its support and services activity and to promote a proactive pilot training policy," said Eurocopter President Lutz Bertling. "Over the last few months, we have introduced numerous simulators for the EC225 in France, the EC135 in Germany and the United States, and the NH90 in Germany. The forthcoming introduction of the EC725 simulator in Brazil and in Malaysia will broaden our offer and meet the expectations of our customers in this growing area of strategic importance."

The helomaker notes it has a major presence in Latin America: Helibras was set up in 1978, Eurocopter Mexico in 1982, and Eurocopter Chile in 2001. More than 500 employees work at these three subsidiaries. Today, 1,000 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service in Latin America.

Eurocopter is also the only helicopter manufacturer with production facilities in Latin America. The AStar/Ecureuil model is made in Brazil (known as Esquilo) and production will soon begin on the EC725, which will lead to Helibras doubling its staff strength to that of 600 persons with a reinforced engineering centre. Eurocopter's three Latin American subsidiaries also customize and maintain aircraft, and provide a full range of services.

In addition to the contract for 50 EC725s for the Brazilian armed forces, the Mexican Ministry of Defense ordered six EC725s in March.

FMI: www.eurocopter.com