Training Simulator Targets the Toughest Firefighting Missions

entrol has installed an Air Tractor AT-802 Fire Boss simulator for Aquarius Aerial Firefighting (Aquarius AFF), a subsidiary of Cargolux, at their facility in Luxembourg.

The simulator is configured for the amphibious Fire Boss variant and incorporates original aircraft components, including a real Garmin G600 TXi glass cockpit, pilot seat, and flight and engine controls. 

The unit includes an Aerodisplay Head-Up Display paired with a long-wave infrared thermal camera, enabling pilots to train in simulated low-visibility conditions caused by smoke. Critical flight data, including  airspeed, altitude, and heading, is projected onto the pilot's line of sight alongside a thermal feed for identifying hotspots and terrain. A triple-laser projection visual system and geo-specific database with imagery of operational areas, including Welzow Aerodrome in Germany, are also included.

The flight model replicates the aerodynamics of the Fire Boss during water scooping, and a second station supports two-ship mission training — a common requirement in aerial firefighting operations.

"This simulator is a leap forward in tactical training for Europe," explains Juanjo Lechosa, Business Development Manager at entrol. "We have developed a specific vibration system that replicates the structural loads during water scooping and the sudden change in Center of Gravity (CG) during a drop. This allows Aquarius AFF pilots to master the most dangerous phases of the mission in a controlled, high-fidelity environment."

An Advanced Debriefing Station allows instructors to review mission parameters in 3D, including drop accuracy and flight path analysis.