A factory acceptance for AW139 reality H full-flight simulator for Caverton Aviation Training Centre has been signed by Caverton Helicopters and Thales of France.
According to Caverton, the Thales Reality H full-flight simulator level ‘D’ is one of the world’s most advanced commercial helicopter simulators and will be used to provide superior scenario-based flight and mission training to AW139 helicopter operators across Africa as well as Caverton’s pilots and crew.
The aviation company also revealed that with the simulator, Caverton would deliver state-of-the-art training including initial type rating, recurrent training and proficiency checks for visual flight rules and instrument flight rules, offshore and onshore missions as well as VIP operations to unprepared landing sites.
Caverton said the simulator would enable pilots to become certified to fly the AW139 under various civil aviation authority approvals.
“It will be one of the most popular helicopter platforms in Nigeria and in the region to be fully immersed in a realistic virtual environment, representing Nigerian operational locations and learn to handle a multitude of system failures. It will also help overcome very complex malfunctions should they arise in the real world,” the firm said in a statement.
“Pilots can thus train safely in high-risk mission scenarios in a range of adverse weather conditions,” it added.
The firm stated that as a leading indigenous aviation and marine logistics player for the Nigerian oil and gas industry, it aimed to provide an accessible platform for advanced training and create opportunities for the sector in Africa.
“This move is a major step forward in Caverton’s strategy to diversify its portfolio of services to include flight simulation training services and thereby support safer helicopter logistics operations,” the firm noted.
The Managing Director of Caverton Helicopters Limited, Rotimi Makanjuola, described the contract as an important milestone, not just for Caverton as an indigenous company, but for Nigeria and the African continent.
He said, “We pride ourselves in being pioneers in safety innovation and are committed to providing enhanced training opportunities for our pilots in-country as well as to third party operators across Africa.
“With this significant investment and with the support from Thales, a globally renowned company, we believe that the simulator will ultimately benefit our customers and increase accessibility to world-class flight simulation training services.”
The Vice President, Training Simulation Business of Thales, Peter Hitchcock, said the firm was proud to share a trusted relationship with Caverton.
He said Thales remained committed to help the company improve flight safety across the region, thanks to the first helicopter full flight simulator to be installed in Africa.
