SAR Virtual Simulator
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 6
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From: Britanny
SAR Virtual Simulator
Hi everybody,
Do you know ESTHEL project?
A French company located in South of France developped a Simulator for hoist exercise simulation , shooting, etc....
The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) and French Security Civile already carried out training over there.
Here are some link on youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3zYoJaGQD0
Interesting tool.
What do you think ?
Fly safe
Phil
Netherland and that
Do you know ESTHEL project?
A French company located in South of France developped a Simulator for hoist exercise simulation , shooting, etc....
The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) and French Security Civile already carried out training over there.
Here are some link on youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3zYoJaGQD0
Interesting tool.
What do you think ?
Fly safe
Phil
Netherland and that

Joined: Apr 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 10,959
Likes: 1,814
From: EGDC
It's not a world exclusive, this technology (but using VR headsets instead of a massive projection screen) has been in use at the Search and Rescue Training Unit at RAF Valley, Anglesey for quite a few years.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Britanny
I get in contact with them and here are the advantages compare to VR Headset
“The ESTHEL system is world exclusive because it is cleverly combining simulation technologies and real equipment:
1) Unlike VR headsets, it enables to perform REAL HOISTING exercises on the left side of the system (real Goodrich hoist, footboard 3 m-high), which for instance perfectly deals with the issue of putting a stretcher in/out of the aircraft.
2) On the right side, the use of simulation technologies is mixed withreal equipment in order to reach the necessary reality feeling:
trainees get attached with their own harnesses, they use their own helmets with audio inside, hoist grips are similar to the one they use in real life and are placed at their exact position, ...).
Moreover, there are tools to increase immersion and remind the hoist operator that he’s not comfortable while performing his task: vibrating cabin floor, wind blowing system at the door, various noises (helicopter, alarms).
3) Unlike VR headsets, the system is meant for CREW MANAGEMENT (see the picture enclosed):
1 pilot, 1 hoist operator and 1 eventual door gunner can physically operate in the cabin at the same time.
They use their own intercom helmets, the ministick is operational for the hoist operator in the hovering phase, ...”
“The ESTHEL system is world exclusive because it is cleverly combining simulation technologies and real equipment:
1) Unlike VR headsets, it enables to perform REAL HOISTING exercises on the left side of the system (real Goodrich hoist, footboard 3 m-high), which for instance perfectly deals with the issue of putting a stretcher in/out of the aircraft.
2) On the right side, the use of simulation technologies is mixed withreal equipment in order to reach the necessary reality feeling:
trainees get attached with their own harnesses, they use their own helmets with audio inside, hoist grips are similar to the one they use in real life and are placed at their exact position, ...).
Moreover, there are tools to increase immersion and remind the hoist operator that he’s not comfortable while performing his task: vibrating cabin floor, wind blowing system at the door, various noises (helicopter, alarms).
3) Unlike VR headsets, the system is meant for CREW MANAGEMENT (see the picture enclosed):
1 pilot, 1 hoist operator and 1 eventual door gunner can physically operate in the cabin at the same time.
They use their own intercom helmets, the ministick is operational for the hoist operator in the hovering phase, ...”

Joined: Apr 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 10,959
Likes: 1,814
From: EGDC
So they are clogging up one very expensive simulator doing live winching instead of using the VR simulator to teach voice marshalling and scanning and then having a physical winching simulator for al the cabin entry, stretcher, cabin management skills.
It looks very good on paper but unless you only have one student to put through, you will waste time teaching skills in your simulator that could be done cheaper and easier elsewhere.
It looks very good on paper but unless you only have one student to put through, you will waste time teaching skills in your simulator that could be done cheaper and easier elsewhere.





