FlightSafety's New Lafayette, LA, Helicopter Learning Center to Feature New Innovative Simulation Technology

“This significant investment demonstrates our commitment to provide our customers with conveniently located, high quality training services using innovative simulation technology designed to enhance safety,” says Bruce Whitman, President & CEO, FlightSafety International. “The opening of the Lafayette Learning Center highlights our dedication to helicopter safety and further strengthens our position as the world’s leading aviation training provider.”

The first full flight simulator to arrive at the Lafayette Learning Center, a Sikorsky S-76 C+/C++, will be equipped with FlightSafety’s electric motion and control loading technology and the company’s advanced VITAL visual system. The Center will also offer a series of next generation Flight Training Devices equipped with FlightSafety’s VITAL visual system, simulation software and other key components used in full flight simulators.

“These new Flight Training Devices will enable us to provide high quality, comprehensive and cost-effective, mission-specific training on a wide variety of single engine aircraft types,” said George Ferito, Director Rotorcraft Business Development, FlightSafety International.

While the Lafayette Learning Center will emphasize training for offshore operations, it will also offer courses for the majority of helicopter types operating in the Gulf region, and for a wide variety of missions, including EMS, news gathering and law enforcement. Gulf Coast operators currently use approximately eight different rotorcraft models manufactured by Agusta, AgustaWestland, Bell, Eurocopter and Sikorsky.

The new state-of-the-art Center of Excellence for rotorcraft training will be able to accommodate up to eight full flight simulators and a full range of advanced technology Flight Training Devices. The Center will also feature classrooms equipped with MATRIX, FlightSafety’s integrated training system technology, and ample customer service areas.

FlightSafety International is the world’s premier aviation training organization. Over 75,000 pilots, technicians and other aviation professionals train at FlightSafety facilities each year. The company designs and manufactures full flight simulators for civil and military aircraft programs and operates the world’s largest fleet of advanced full flight simulators at over 40 training locations.