Thales has announced that its Reality H helicopter simulator installed at the training centre recently opened by helicopter operator SAF group in Albertville, France, has been granted FTD (flight training device) Level 3 and FFS (full flight simulator) Level B qualification by the French Civil Aviation Authority, in accordance with European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) criteria.

FTD Level 3 and FFS Level B qualification allows this latest-generation system to be used for EC135 helicopter type-rating training, and confirms its proven capacity (1) for recurrent training to support annual revalidation of pilot licences, annual operator proficiency checks (OPC) and line checks (in place of an actual helicopter). It can also be incorporated as part of an ab-initio training programme leading to a commercial pilot’s licence for helicopters (CPL H) or air transport pilot’s licence for helicopters (ATPL H), including instrument rating (IR) and corresponding proficiency checks (PC).

The Reality H system provides highly realistic simulations of flight conditions in a range of natural and man-made environments (including mountainous terrain, coastal and urban areas), making it suitable for training personnel to conduct specific assignments such as SAR (search and rescue) and EMS (emergency medical services), which are the main activities of the SAF Group’s EC135 fleet.

The qualification of the Reality H EC135 simulator was achieved thanks to a powerful database built up from a series of real helicopter test flights conducted in partnership with SAF. Thales uses the data to model the flight mechanics and equipment represented in the simulator.