Press Release

Issued by Elite Simulation Solutions.

November 25, 2011

Fantastic performance at a price no-one else could match are the key reasons why Starspeed Training has added an Elite S723T FNPT II simulator to its tools for teaching helicopter pilots.

The Elite Simulation Solutions S723T is now in use at Starspeed's Kemble, Gloucestershire, facility for students converting to the Eurocopter AS355 Twin Squirrel helicopter, joining an Elite S723 device the training establishment already had for single engine AS350 training.

Elite is a world leader in the manufacture of PC-driven flight simulators and the new S723T is a first from the company, as it features dynamic control loading - a motorised trim function on the cyclic, with fully coupled autopilot functions, loading on the yaw pedals to simulate loss of hydraulic pressure. It has JAR-FSTD (H) FNPT II approval.

Visuals include a CAVE system with 270 x 65 degrees field of view and high resolution 3D scenarios of Kemble, Bristol Filton, Bristol Lulsgate and Cardiff airports, ships for deck landings and three oil rigs in Morecombe Bay. It also has an original Garmin GNS430 GPS and an EFIS based on the Bendix King EFS40/50.

The new Elite S723T and the original S723 are both approved by the UK CAA for 40 of the 50 hours training required for the IR(H) course and 10 of the 15 hours required for the FAA/ICAO JAR IR(H) or QSP (nonprocedural) course.

Starspeed's new head of training, David Arkell, said: "The Elite device is fantastic. Everyone who has used it says how very, very good it is – easy to get to grips with and highly realistic. There was nothing else out there with this performance at the price, and we are very pleased with it – an excellent tool to boost our training programmes."

Starspeed Training, whose parent company is based at Blackbushe Airport, specialises in instrument and type ratings and, as well as providing training for both the AS 350 and AS 355, offers type ratings on the A109, AS365, B206, B222, EC135, EC 155 and S76. Other courses include elevated helipad landings, LOFT (Line Orientated Flight Training), IR(H) for both civilian and military pilots, and Instrument Rating Instructor.

Elite's marketing and sales manager, René Huddlestone, said: "The S723T is a very important step in the development of flight simulators for twin engine helicopters and we are pleased that it is in use by a very progressive and forward thinking training establishment."