Double first for European Helicopter Centre and Elite Simulation Solutions | Press Release

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Press Release

Issued by Elite Simulation Solutions.

October 11, 2010

Double first for European Helicopter Centre and Elite Simulation Solutions

With the purchase of an Elite Evolution S723 helicopter FNPTII simulator by the leading helicopter flight training school in Scandinavia, the European Helicopter Centre, a double first has been scored.

For it is the first simulator that EHC has bought outright – they have previously leased equipment – and for Elite it is the first helicopter simulator the company has sold in Scandinavia.

EHC was formed in 1993 and now operates a fleet of 13 helicopters from its base at Sandefjord Lufthaven. With 15 full time instructors and six freelancers who can be brought in as necessary, EHC offers helicopter flight training and also operates in sling load work, aerial photography, line inspection, air taxi and other aerial work – and thus claims to be the largest helicopter operator in Scandinavia.

The Elite S723 simulator has a 3-channel CAVE visual system with a 270o x 65o field of view, 3D rendered graphics of the airports at Sandefjord, Skien and Rygge including 60cm satellite imagery of the surrounding ground features, and 100km x 100km scenery that allows EHC to train pilots for fly up to 30 minutes cross country entirely on visual cues. The whole system has been certified by the Norwegian CAA to FNPTII.

EHC's Head of Training, Øyvind Juel Bache, said: "We tried several manufacturers but decided on Elite's helisim through a combination of customer response time, system performance, price, delivery time and support – overall the best choice for us. We use the FNPT for basic instrument training during the PPL(H), CPL(H and FI(H) courses as well as for the 40 hours in the IR(H) course – and we are already looking to upgrade it to represent the AS355 with MCC."

Elite's marketing and sales manager, René Huddlestone, said: "We are really pleased to have sold our first helicopter simulator in Scandinavia, especially to such a well-known and respected operator like EHC. The company is the leading helicopter training oganisation in the region and we believe the Elite S723 will enhance the already high level of training they offer."