LA GUARDIA AIRPORT, NEW YORK (September 24, 2007) – FlightSafety International announced today that it is significantly increasing its support of the rotorcraft community by adding a new center of excellence for offshore helicopter training in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Training will begin in 2008 at the new 70,000-square-foot Learning Center. The facility can accommodate up to eight full flight simulators and will feature advanced technology training devices, customer service areas and MATRIX equipped classrooms.
“This investment in facilities, simulation equipment, training programs and personnel, further strengthens our position as the world’s leading aviation training provider. The new Lafayette Learning Center is another example of FlightSafety’s commitment to meet and exceed the needs and requirements of our customers, provide them with exceptional service, and to enhance aviation safety worldwide,” said Bruce Whitman, President & CEO, FlightSafety International.
Gulf Coast operators currently utilize approximately eight different rotorcraft models manufactured by Augusta, Augusta Westland, Bell Helicopter, Eurocopter and Sikorsky. They are involved in offshore, EMS, law enforcement and ENG operations. FlightSafety’s intent is to offer type and mission specific training in Lafayette for the majority of helicopter types operating in the region.
The first simulator to enter service at the Center will be a new Sikorsky S-76 C+/C++. It will feature FlightSafety’s electric motion and control loading technology and VITAL X visual system.
FlightSafety’s customers will also benefit from the company’s new generation of Flight Training Devices. The FTDs will incorporate FlightSafety’s latest visual system as well as the software and other key components used in full flight simulators. They will possess virtually the same operating characteristics as a full flight simulator without a motion base system.
FlightSafety offers training on rotorcraft manufactured by Bell Helicopter at the company’s Fort Worth Learning Center. The Center provides factory-authorized, FAA and JAA qualified training for Bell 212, Bell 222, Bell 230, Bell 412 and Bell 430 aircraft.
The company’s West Palm Beach, Florida Learning Center offers Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation factory-authorized training for the Sikorsky S-70, Sikorsky S-76 and Sikorsky S-92 aircraft. Training will be available for the Sikorsky S-92 aircraft at FlightSafety’s new London Farnborough Training Center later this year.
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 40 training locations.
