Finnish helicopter pilot training provider Coptersafety's TRU AW169 full flight simulator with Phase 8 avionics has been qualified to Level D by the Finnish Civil Aviation Authority Traficom and the UK's CAA. Level D qualification is reserved for FFSs that meet the highest standards of EASA and UK CAA.

With the increasing use of the AW169 aircraft by operators, Coptersafety can now provide a higher level of training with the latest avionics for current and future customers.

“I'm very happy to announce that the long-awaited Phase 8 upgrade of our AW169 FFS Level D is finally ready for training,” says COO Toni Rönnberg. “Coptersafety has very high standards when it comes to the simulator quality. There was unfortunately a delay on the upgrade process, which was to ensure that our customers will have the best possible training value and quality from the simulator, which is now in the latest avionics version.”

The AW169 FFS is equipped with Phase 8 avionics and can be configured precisely to customer needs, regardless of mission type or weather scenario. The simulator offers immersive and realistic features including cockpit vibration, smoke generation, 3D clouds and night and NVIS/NVG visual scenes. Different visual environments in known geographic locations and landing sites can be customised by Coptersafety’s in-house visual model team based on customer requests.

Crews can now book training in the Level D AW169 FFS at Coptersafety’s training centre, located four minutes from Helsinki International airport. The simulator is expected to receive qualification from the FAA later this year.