New helicopter sim in Australia
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New helicopter sim in Australia
HeraldSun report
A NEW helicopter simulator that could help save lives by providing an affordable training alternative for pilots was launched in Brisbane today.
Developed by Ipswich-based GeoSim Technologies, the $70,000 simulator has become the first product of its kind manufactured in Australia to win accreditation from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Using state-of-the-art technology, the portable simulator uses visuals and real scenery from satellite or air photos, combined with on-board helicopter instrumentation and cockpit controls providing a realistic training environment for pilots.
Only two other, foreign-made, helicopter simulators currently exist, costing double the price of the one launched today.
Paul Bredereck, managing director of training organisation Aviation Australia, said a recent survey in the US of 3000 fatal light aircraft accidents in the last 40 years, found that 81 per cent were directly attributable to a skills deficiency.
"The problem we have with light aircraft is it is very much driven by costs, it is the poor end of the industry, they can't afford multi-million simulators like the airlines can," he said.
Mr Bredereck said the simulator would help prevent fatal helicopter crashes in the future by providing the additional training.
The simulator will be trialled in Cairns by Australian Helicopters, one of the country's largest helicopter firms which concentrates mainly on night-time coastal surveillance in the Torres Strait area.
"Our night-over-water helicopter operations demand significantly more training and practice than daytime operations in order to guarantee safety," Australian Helicopters CEO David Earley said.
"We operate several helicopters at night off the Queensland coast so we have a vested interest in finding cost-effective ways of conducting advanced education, and the GeoSim trainer is the best option available."
Premier Peter Beattie, who launched the product today, said the simulator was another example of Queensland's burgeoning aviation industry, which currently employs about 5000 people.
New helicopter simulator opened
A NEW helicopter simulator that could help save lives by providing an affordable training alternative for pilots was launched in Brisbane today.
Developed by Ipswich-based GeoSim Technologies, the $70,000 simulator has become the first product of its kind manufactured in Australia to win accreditation from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Using state-of-the-art technology, the portable simulator uses visuals and real scenery from satellite or air photos, combined with on-board helicopter instrumentation and cockpit controls providing a realistic training environment for pilots.
Only two other, foreign-made, helicopter simulators currently exist, costing double the price of the one launched today.
Paul Bredereck, managing director of training organisation Aviation Australia, said a recent survey in the US of 3000 fatal light aircraft accidents in the last 40 years, found that 81 per cent were directly attributable to a skills deficiency.
"The problem we have with light aircraft is it is very much driven by costs, it is the poor end of the industry, they can't afford multi-million simulators like the airlines can," he said.
Mr Bredereck said the simulator would help prevent fatal helicopter crashes in the future by providing the additional training.
The simulator will be trialled in Cairns by Australian Helicopters, one of the country's largest helicopter firms which concentrates mainly on night-time coastal surveillance in the Torres Strait area.
"Our night-over-water helicopter operations demand significantly more training and practice than daytime operations in order to guarantee safety," Australian Helicopters CEO David Earley said.
"We operate several helicopters at night off the Queensland coast so we have a vested interest in finding cost-effective ways of conducting advanced education, and the GeoSim trainer is the best option available."
Premier Peter Beattie, who launched the product today, said the simulator was another example of Queensland's burgeoning aviation industry, which currently employs about 5000 people.
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Which of course I would never do.
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There is another!
Another GA helicopter trainer was launched in Melbourne Feb this year. I attended the launch and was impressed...nice cockpit based on a squirrel with dual controls, pilot / co-pilot instruments (AI, HSI, RMI, etc), full autopilot system with nav coupling and flight director and GPS!
Had wrap around external visuals too. Doesn't use MSFlight simulator2004 but a proprietary based software.
A neat feature was that the instruments were computer generated but had a template over them with the knobs on this template so that the instruments were life size and looked like the real thing.
Had some teething problems with the external graphics when I saw it but must be OK now as it got CASA approval soon after.
Its more expensive (around $170,000 aussie I think) but obviously aimed at higher end training especially with two pilot/crew interaction. Ideal I guess for offshore and EMS organisations.
Found following links....
http://www.simflight.com.au/S623 press_release.htm
and a neat promo video...check it out
http://www.simflight.com.au/s623_video_promo.htm
Had wrap around external visuals too. Doesn't use MSFlight simulator2004 but a proprietary based software.
A neat feature was that the instruments were computer generated but had a template over them with the knobs on this template so that the instruments were life size and looked like the real thing.
Had some teething problems with the external graphics when I saw it but must be OK now as it got CASA approval soon after.
Its more expensive (around $170,000 aussie I think) but obviously aimed at higher end training especially with two pilot/crew interaction. Ideal I guess for offshore and EMS organisations.
Found following links....
http://www.simflight.com.au/S623 press_release.htm
and a neat promo video...check it out
http://www.simflight.com.au/s623_video_promo.htm
Last edited by NASUS; 13th Jul 2004 at 00:09.
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And guess what ..... this is an AUSTRALIAN COMPANY with a great product that should be supported !!!!!
I have no connection with this company other than knowing the person who has worked bloody hard over many years to get it this far.
I have no connection with this company other than knowing the person who has worked bloody hard over many years to get it this far.
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Simflight has been around a while and have come up with a fantastic synthetic trainer, CAT B approved by CASA, they have sold one to an NZ operator.
It is not based on Flt Sim 2004, but a unique software application, AND it has GPS NPA, now thats a good thing since GPS is becoming so widespread.
It is not based on Flt Sim 2004, but a unique software application, AND it has GPS NPA, now thats a good thing since GPS is becoming so widespread.
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The Simflight sim does indeed appear to be a great product. The point though was that;
a. The Geosim product is Australian, not imported (Simflight is Swiss I believe), and
b. The Geosim unit is substantially cheaper (1/3)
It will make a great contribution to basic procedural training and approach currency requirements in EMS/MPT ops, especially where IFR time and background may be limited.
For those whose budget stretches to the higher priced sims, I would be looking for proportionally increased capability.
a. The Geosim product is Australian, not imported (Simflight is Swiss I believe), and
b. The Geosim unit is substantially cheaper (1/3)
It will make a great contribution to basic procedural training and approach currency requirements in EMS/MPT ops, especially where IFR time and background may be limited.
For those whose budget stretches to the higher priced sims, I would be looking for proportionally increased capability.
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Interesting to note Vetskone's message above that Simflight is not Australian?? Actually Simflight is an Australian company and just like Geosim it imports the technology from OS and packages it here.
I flew the Geosim trainer when it was shown at the recent HAA conference on the coast and noticed that the radio stack was actually from Elite (I know because the name written on the stack, www.flyelite.ch) Switzerland (the compny that supplies Simflight), controls from US company Flight-link (I know because the name was written on it, www.flightlink.com) and software from US company Microsoft, packaged in an old H300 shell done up....so in essence no more Australian than Simflight! Actually when I spoke to the guy from Simflight he was very much involved in the development of the helo sim.
It is interesting to note that Geosim quote as saying they are the first in the world to get accreditation with FS2004, yet if you check the web a US company (www.Flyit.com ...I found it easily surfing the net) have done it years ago and the Geosim trainer looks like a bit of a copy!!!!
So when they wrote their PR media release...well...they added some good old salesmanship into it.
Not that I have any leanings but lets make it a level playing field. Really the difference between the two companies is that it comes down to "you get what you pay for". The Geosim is OK for basic IFR training and the other for more advanced systems integration and multi-crew operations.
I flew the Geosim trainer when it was shown at the recent HAA conference on the coast and noticed that the radio stack was actually from Elite (I know because the name written on the stack, www.flyelite.ch) Switzerland (the compny that supplies Simflight), controls from US company Flight-link (I know because the name was written on it, www.flightlink.com) and software from US company Microsoft, packaged in an old H300 shell done up....so in essence no more Australian than Simflight! Actually when I spoke to the guy from Simflight he was very much involved in the development of the helo sim.
It is interesting to note that Geosim quote as saying they are the first in the world to get accreditation with FS2004, yet if you check the web a US company (www.Flyit.com ...I found it easily surfing the net) have done it years ago and the Geosim trainer looks like a bit of a copy!!!!
So when they wrote their PR media release...well...they added some good old salesmanship into it.
Not that I have any leanings but lets make it a level playing field. Really the difference between the two companies is that it comes down to "you get what you pay for". The Geosim is OK for basic IFR training and the other for more advanced systems integration and multi-crew operations.
Last edited by NASUS; 16th Jul 2004 at 01:42.
