Switzerland-based rotary operator and ATO Mountainflyers has added an Airbus H125 VR training device produced by VRM Switzerland to the simulator centre at its main base at Bern airport. The Robinson R22 FNPT ll and the Airbus H125 VR FTD3 enable the flight school to offer unique training and check concepts to its students and licensed pilots.

"We are particularly pleased with the recent qualification of the H125 simulator. Thanks to the ability to perform licence and operator proficiency checks on the simulator, pilots can now train for specific scenarios. This will significantly reduce costs for operators and further improve aviation safety,“ says CEO and owner Christoph Graf.

"Airbus Helicopters and VRM Switzerland fine-tuned the H125 simulator to reach the highest level of immersion so that pilots can benefit from the most realistic experience. They train for normal and emergency procedures on the simulator as they would occur in a real life situation," adds VRM CEO Fabi Riesen. "All flight behaviour is fully represented, there is a 3D VR visual system and sophisticated motion cueing. With the VR representation of the body and the full replica cockpit, the pilot can learn to handle the controls in a completely intuitive way. And a tablet enables users to work through checklists and to read charts.“

Mountainflyers has developed several courses to enhance pilot competencies. The 'train untrained emergency situations' module enables pilots to experience and train for emergencies that they cannot train for in a real helicopter. Avoiding and handling inadvertent instrument meteorological conditions (IIMC) trains pilots in decision making and facing difficult weather situations. Basic students can learn manoeuvres more efficiently on the simulator.

“As this training method is more efficient, our students not only fly more safely but also save money and time,” adds Graf.