Training skilled Navy pilots through smart simulations

Before pilots can hop into a helicopter, they need training. That’s why flight simulators are so valuable – and so is our work maintaining them.

Gliding smoothly below the cockpit window, the countryside is suddenly obscured by dark clouds. Heavy rain lashes down as lightning crackles in the air. Just as quickly, the sun appears as cross-winds pound the cockpit. It’s not a typical summer’s day, but an incredibly lifelike SH-2G(I) Seasprite Maritime Helicopter flight simulator.

Before being let loose on a highly sophisticated (and expensive) helicopter, Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) pilots and air crew need extensive training. That’s where flight simulators come in.

Maintaining these essential training simulators is critical as it ensures that the RNZAF flight training programme isn’t interrupted. We’ve been subcontracted to CAE to provide local, whole-of-life engineering and maintenance support for these Seasprite Helicopter flight simulators.

The flight simulators are located in a purpose-built facility at RNZAF Base Whenuapai. This facility includes a three-storey, full mission flight simulator plus six part-task trainers (these are static PC-based mock-ups with basic flight controls).

This contract extends our work delivering flight simulator support for the RNZAF, helping to train skilled RNZN pilots and air crew. We also provide software support for the P-3K2 Orion Flight Deck Trainer, maintenance and engineering support for a NVG simulator, at RNZAF Base Whenuapai and the A109 Light Utility Helicopter Flight Training Device at RNZAF Base Ohakea.