Basic Training on a Twin
Ref Post #9.
Not many organisations (especially those on a budget) would propose spending $3000 per hour on hover training. As noted, the RNZAF has introduced the A109LUH as it's basic and advanced RW trainer (and we have never been noted as being careless with our cash). What makes this affordable is the use of simulation. If you accept that an advanced trainer is required (as we did), you will probably also accept that simulation is a neccessity. The hourly simulator direct operating costs are lower than the dry lease cost of an R44 (I did the math). It therefore makes sense to use the simulator (which we have already paid for) to conduct basic training, as well as to support advanced (emergency, IFR, mission) training.
Had we elected to employ a separate basic trainer, we would have incurred the cost of ownership of a second fleet (or at least the operating cost of a leased fleet). Having done so, it is likely we'd only have saved about 15 hours off the current all-through course. We couldn't justify that to our taxpayers. Further, by selecting a platform that could also provide a light utility and observation capability, we got even more bang for our buck (by which, of course, I mean 'Pacific Peso').