Airbus Helicopter simulator reaches highest certification in Germany

The H145 simulator at the Airbus Helicopters Training Academy in Germany has been awarded level D status by the German Federal Aviation Office, the highest certification for a full flight simulator (FFS).

This is the first helicopter FFS certified for the H145, and the first reach that standard in Germany by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). To attain the level D certification, a simulator must move in six directions, provide a field of view of at least 180 degrees, work with realistic acoustic and visual simulations, and perform several special motion effects. The new simulator in Donauwörth fulfils and partially exceeds the requirements.

“Thanks to the world’s first H145 simulator, we can provide our customers with an excellent training environment,” said Charles Hebeka, Head of Airbus Helicopters Training Centres in Germany. “This is a further step we are taking together with our customers towards guaranteeing maximum flight safety when operating our helicopters.”

Each year, more than 400 pilots walk through the Training Academy at Donauwörth, amassing over 1,500 flight hours. This simulator adds a new tool to the belt, offering both new and experienced pilots to better grasp their talents.

The H145 simulator uses a combination of hardware and software from the actual model it replicates to help create a realistic environment. It was developed in conjunction with Indra Systems, a Spanish flight simulator manufacturer.