Eurocopter, September 23, 2009 - Marignane, Today, Helisim inaugurated its first NH90 flight simulator at the training center in Marignane (South of France) where it will be used to train military helicopter pilots.
Helisim is a company jointly created by Eurocopter, Thales and DCI. The Australian Army Aviation, the French Navy and the French Army Air Corps (ALAT) will be the first customers to send their pilots to the Helisim facility for NH90 training.
"The inauguration of our new simulator for the NH90 is an extremely important step for Helisim," said Guy Dabadie, the company's CEO. "We can now offer all NH90 customers a more complete service. Since it was first created, Helisim has always been firmly committed to providing its customers with the highest quality training, as we are keenly aware of how crucial it is to flight safety."
Helisim's NH90 Full Flight simulator (manufactured by Thales), is equipped with the very latest generation database,of visual images, capable of simulating all types of environments (be it desertic, mountainous or maritime), weather conditions, special effects and battlefield threats via the use of “computer generated forces” (CGF).
Realism was a key objective in the design process, enabling the simulator to produce special effects of unrivaled quality for training sequences. Satellite images with resolution down to 12.5 cm in urban areas were included in the database to achieve the desired effects.
The NH90 cabin is also fully compatible with the use of third-generation night vision goggles, or with special helmets fitted with head-up displays (HUD) that are projected directly onto the visor, essential for night flight training.
Since 2002, Helisim has successfully introduced simulators for the Super Puma L1 and L2, the AS 365 N2 Dauphin, the EC155 and the EC 225. Each simulator uses the latest technology and ultramodern training tools. The new database of visual images, developed for the NH90 will also be used on the Super Puma L1 and L2 and the EC225 simulators in 2010.
Helisim is a consortium of 3 companies: Eurocopter (45%), Thales Training & Simulation (45%) and DCI (10%) (Défense Conseil International). It has provided more than 12,000 flight hours of training over the past twelve months to a total of 2400 pilots, which corresponds to more than 120 different customers.
The team of Helisim instructors has a great deal of operational experience and the training courses comply to the strictest standards for training and flight safety. Helisim's customers include the majority of off-shore, corporate,, VIP and governmental operators, as well as numerous army, air force and navy pilots from around the world.
This inauguration ceremony was also the occasion for Guy Dabadie to hand over the reins of Helisim to his successor, Alain Salendre who has until now, occupied the functions of Military Advisor for Governmental Programs. Amongst his many achievements, Mr. Salendre, who is 49, directed the French-German Training Academy based in Le Luc, France, where German and French pilots are trained to fly the Tiger. Following a storied career during which he headed the Eurocopter flight test department, Guy Dabadie has spent the last decade insuring Helisim's place amongst the top simulator training centers in the world.
About d’Eurocopter: Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 15,600 people. In 2008, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer in the civil and parapublic market, with a turnover of 4.5 billion Euros, orders for 715 new helicopters, and a 53 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s products account for 30 percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 18 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than 10,000 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,800 customers in more than 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.
About Thales: Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace, Space, Defence, Security and Transportation markets. In 2008, the company generated revenues of 12.7 billion euros with 68,000 employees in 50 countries. With its 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers as local partners.
About Défense Conseil International (DCI): Created in 1972, the DCI group provides training, support and consulting services to the armed forces of customer countries and to the French Ministry of Defense. Through a major agreement signed in 1991, DCI is also responsible for outsourcing support services for military helicopters.
DCI consists of four specialized entities: COFRAS for the French Army and the Gendarmerie; NAVFCO for the French Navy; AIRCO for the French Air Force; and DESCO for support and program management. All four companies are extremely active in the helicopter sector, which represents approximately 20% of DCI revenue. DCI is an official representative of the French Armed Forces.
As part of a 22-year public-private partnership agreement signed in 2008, DCI will be providing helicopter training to pilots of the French Army Air Corps at the military training school in Dax.
Helisim is a company jointly created by Eurocopter, Thales and DCI. The Australian Army Aviation, the French Navy and the French Army Air Corps (ALAT) will be the first customers to send their pilots to the Helisim facility for NH90 training.
"The inauguration of our new simulator for the NH90 is an extremely important step for Helisim," said Guy Dabadie, the company's CEO. "We can now offer all NH90 customers a more complete service. Since it was first created, Helisim has always been firmly committed to providing its customers with the highest quality training, as we are keenly aware of how crucial it is to flight safety."
Helisim's NH90 Full Flight simulator (manufactured by Thales), is equipped with the very latest generation database,of visual images, capable of simulating all types of environments (be it desertic, mountainous or maritime), weather conditions, special effects and battlefield threats via the use of “computer generated forces” (CGF).
Realism was a key objective in the design process, enabling the simulator to produce special effects of unrivaled quality for training sequences. Satellite images with resolution down to 12.5 cm in urban areas were included in the database to achieve the desired effects.
The NH90 cabin is also fully compatible with the use of third-generation night vision goggles, or with special helmets fitted with head-up displays (HUD) that are projected directly onto the visor, essential for night flight training.
Since 2002, Helisim has successfully introduced simulators for the Super Puma L1 and L2, the AS 365 N2 Dauphin, the EC155 and the EC 225. Each simulator uses the latest technology and ultramodern training tools. The new database of visual images, developed for the NH90 will also be used on the Super Puma L1 and L2 and the EC225 simulators in 2010.
Helisim is a consortium of 3 companies: Eurocopter (45%), Thales Training & Simulation (45%) and DCI (10%) (Défense Conseil International). It has provided more than 12,000 flight hours of training over the past twelve months to a total of 2400 pilots, which corresponds to more than 120 different customers.
The team of Helisim instructors has a great deal of operational experience and the training courses comply to the strictest standards for training and flight safety. Helisim's customers include the majority of off-shore, corporate,, VIP and governmental operators, as well as numerous army, air force and navy pilots from around the world.
This inauguration ceremony was also the occasion for Guy Dabadie to hand over the reins of Helisim to his successor, Alain Salendre who has until now, occupied the functions of Military Advisor for Governmental Programs. Amongst his many achievements, Mr. Salendre, who is 49, directed the French-German Training Academy based in Le Luc, France, where German and French pilots are trained to fly the Tiger. Following a storied career during which he headed the Eurocopter flight test department, Guy Dabadie has spent the last decade insuring Helisim's place amongst the top simulator training centers in the world.
About d’Eurocopter: Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 15,600 people. In 2008, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer in the civil and parapublic market, with a turnover of 4.5 billion Euros, orders for 715 new helicopters, and a 53 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s products account for 30 percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 18 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than 10,000 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,800 customers in more than 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.
About Thales: Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace, Space, Defence, Security and Transportation markets. In 2008, the company generated revenues of 12.7 billion euros with 68,000 employees in 50 countries. With its 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers as local partners.
About Défense Conseil International (DCI): Created in 1972, the DCI group provides training, support and consulting services to the armed forces of customer countries and to the French Ministry of Defense. Through a major agreement signed in 1991, DCI is also responsible for outsourcing support services for military helicopters.
DCI consists of four specialized entities: COFRAS for the French Army and the Gendarmerie; NAVFCO for the French Navy; AIRCO for the French Air Force; and DESCO for support and program management. All four companies are extremely active in the helicopter sector, which represents approximately 20% of DCI revenue. DCI is an official representative of the French Armed Forces.
As part of a 22-year public-private partnership agreement signed in 2008, DCI will be providing helicopter training to pilots of the French Army Air Corps at the military training school in Dax.
See also |
NH Industries NH90
Helicopters Flight School - Training Military 
Helisim Marignane Helisim 
