American Eurocopter announced that it received CFR Part 142 certification for its EC135 helicopter training program. This certification, along with approval by an operator’s principal operations inspector (POI), authorizes American Eurocopter to deliver its Part 135-approved training programs. The company plans to add its EC145 and AS350 programs to this certificate, pending FAA approval, in late 2009 and third quarter 2010 respectively.
“This certification will allow our customers to fully utilize our EC135 training program and our EC135 FTD for their training needs,” said Marc Paganini, president and CEO of American Eurocopter. “This is the first full motion, developed on manufacturer product knowledge EC135 Simulator in the U.S.”
The EC135 CFR Part 142 certification, coupled with American Eurocopter’s FAA approved EC135 FTD, enables operators to use training credits to reduce and in some cases eliminate in-aircraft training requirements. The courses include aircraft systems, emergency and abnormal procedures, human factors analysis, and specialty courseware, which contain a scenario mission-specific format and can incorporate different operator’s operating procedures. These training programs are tailored to build the pilot’s decision-making skills.
The use of the advanced simulator allows pilots to fly realistic emergency scenarios alone as the aircraft commander, maximizing the flying experience and the lessons learned. As a Level B Full Flight Simulator (FFS), this simulator and approved training program provides a complete training experience. It also reduces the risk of weather or operational related delays, while reducing environmental impact.
American Eurocopter is developing an AS350 simulator, which along with the training program, will be operational in the summer of 2010. The future AS350 program will include training on unique mission profiles associated with EMS, airborne law enforcement, off-shore, and business aviation. American Eurocopter will seek FAA certification as a Level B FFS, which will be followed by approval for the training program under CFR Part 142.
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