World's first AW609 tiltrotor Lever D Full Flight Simulator to be in service in 2020

The start of production of the world’s first AW609 tiltrotor Level D Full Flight Simulator (FFS) and the intention to introduce the first US-based AW169 Level D Full Flight Simulator was announced by Leonardo. Both will be installed into the new Training Academy being developed at the Company’s helicopter facility based in Philadelphia and will be in service in 2020. 

The AW609 simulator is developed in collaboration with CAE and based on the CAE 3000 Series FFS that features CAE’s revolutionary roll-on/roll-off cockpit design, enabling cockpits representing various Leonardo helicopter types to be used in the full-motion base simulator. Leonardo and CAE will also develop an AW169 simulator cockpit to be made available and used in the CAE 3000 Series simulator. Both the AW609 and AW169 simulators for the new Training Academy in Philadelphia will be operated by Rotorsim, the joint venture owned equally by CAE and Leonardo.  

The AW609 simulator will deliver the most advanced level of training to all customers undertaking the AW609Type Rating for their operations worldwide, as well as for recurrent training for rated pilots. Pilots in training will be able to practice all the required operational tasks and procedures for the AW609 tiltrotor in both normal and emergency conditions, both flight and mission related in all phases of flight. The AW609 FFS perfectly replicates the unique tiltrotor flight conditions, operating environments and the real aircraft behaviour with the possibility to also use Night Vision Goggles for night missions. The FFS will complement a full package of training services dedicated to the tiltrotor and offered by customers trained at the new US Training Academy. The AW169simulator will meet the growing demand for new generation light-intermediate helicopter model training for crews in US and across North and Latin America.

The introduction of these two advanced simulation systems in US is a major milestone for Leonardo for the delivery of training services as the AW609 mass production is starting in Philadelphia and the AW169 success across the entire region grows further for a range of missions including VIP/Corporate transport, emergency medical service, utility and law enforcement. The supply of training services based on advanced technology and customer proximity is fully in line with the Company’s Industrial Plan. 

CAE’s roll-on/roll-off cockpit design is already used by Leonardo and CAE for other simulator systems in Italy. Using this design will result in a fully interchangeable FFS training solution with the AW609 and AW169 cockpits at the new Training Academy in Philadelphia. When not installed into the full-motion base simulator, the cockpit will serve as a fixed-base Flight Training Device (FTD), with a similar approach also available in the future for other types, thus significantly increasing the versatility and range of training services in US.