Mon, Nov 28, 2011
Defense Minister Says Sim Should Pay For Itself In Under Five
Years
A new flight simulator complex in New Zealand was commissioned
at Ohakea Friday by the Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Peter
Stockwell. As a part of that training system, the simulator will
provide the Royal New Zealand Air Force with a cost effective means
of training A109 aircrew and those destined to fly the NH90 and
SH2G helicopters. The simulator provides significant financial
savings as the operating cost of the simulator is approximately 10%
of the A109 helicopter operating cost.
New Zealand A109 Sim
"The A109 simulator and accompanying Virtual Interactive
Procedure Trainer are critical components of the newly introduced
integrated training system for future New Zealand Defence Force
helicopter aircrew," said Air Vice-Marshal Stockwell. "The
simulator cost 9.3 million Euros ($12.3M US) and it has an expected
service life of at least 30 years. It will provide approximately
1400 hours of training per year but it has the capacity to provide
in excess of twice this, if required. At the planned rate, the
simulator will effectively pay for itself in less than five
years."
One of the primary functions of the recently introduced A109LUH
helicopters was as a training platform for NZDF NH90 and SH2G
aircrew. AgustaWestland, suppliers of the A109 helicopters, also
provided the Virtual Interactive Procedure Trainer and the Flight
Simulator.
"The simulator is an excellent training platform as it allows
high risk exercises (such as engine and other equipment failures)
to be conducted safely rather than in the helicopter. It also
allows flying training in bad weather and poor visibility
conditions as we can simulate the external environment to suit our
training requirements," Stocktwell said. "Both world class training
devices will be housed at Ohakea and used for training NZDF
helicopter pilots and crewmen. Approximately 50% of all A109
helicopter training will be conducted in the simulator, making
significant training efficiencies and cost savings."
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