Bell Helicopter & TRU Simulation + Training Announce Official Name of Valencia Facility

Bell Helicopter and TRU Simulation + Training Inc., have announced the official name of their training centre in Valencia, Spain: "Bell Helicopter Training Academy (BTA) - Valencia, Powered by TRU Simulation + Training".

BTA - Valencia is designed to serve the training needs of European customers, beginning with pilot training on the Bell 429. Training will be conducted through a full flight simulator (FFS) designed and produced by TRU Simulation + Training. The initial partnership announced in 2014 is nearing completion of its facility which is on-track to be operational by the end of the year.

BTA - Valencia instructors have more than 5,000 hours of helicopter experience across multiple platforms and are currently undergoing instructor training at the Bell Training Academy in Fort Worth. The instructors additionally bring English, French, Spanish and Italian language capablities to the facility.

The Bell 429 FFS will be the first-ever certified Level D simulator with FAA and EASA/FAA requirements available for pilot training. TRU Simulation + Training will employ its new ODYSSEY™ H FFS design, developed especially for the unique training requirements and needs of the helicopter pilot. The ODYSSEY H utilizes TRU Simulation + Training's state-of-the-art, ultra high definition visual system with a 240-degree horizontal by 80-degree vertical field of view and 41 megapixel total system resolution visual display. The OSYSSEY H also utilizes primary and secondary motion systems, and features a roll-on/roll-off capability, which allows the simulator to be reconfigurable for other helicopters.

The simulator will be built at TRU Simulation + Training 's facility in Tampa, Florida, and is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year to coincide with the opening of the training center in Valencia.