Boeing adds Kiowa simulator at Oakey

Boeing has installed a Helicrew simulator at the Oakey Army Aviation Training Centre in order to enhance the capabilities of Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) flight instructors.

The Helicrew allows BDA qualified flying instructors to further hone and test their training procedures through a variety of simulated situations.

Helicrew is designed to replicate the Bell 206B-1 Kiowa, which the Australian Army uses as an initial training helicopter before pilots transition to operational rotorcraft.

Through the Army Aviation Training and Training Support (AATTS) contract awarded in 2007, Boeing supports the Army’s Kiowa, Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters with pilot, aircrew and technician training, operational fleet maintenance, and support services.

“Our investment in the Helicrew shows our ongoing commitment to supplying industry-leading, in-country instruction to align with the future of rotary wing training,” Mark Brownsey, AATTS project manager for BDA said.

“As we mature this synthetic capability, we will work with our customer on opportunities to use the Helicrew to provide some pilot instruction in a more cost-effective, lower-risk environment than flying real Kiowas,” Brownsey added.

“The Helicrew gives us the flexibility to plan training exercises much more quickly than before,” Charlie Stone, chief pilot at AATTS said.

“It also allows us to better prepare for emergencies in a safe environment, and to assess our performance at any point of the exercise – all of which will ultimately benefit pilots in training,” Stone concluded.