Indra's simulator trains Hong Kong Air Rescue Service pilots

The H175 flight simulator developed by Indra is already training helicopter pilots of the Government Flying Service (GFS) of the Government of Hong Kong, who carry out search and rescue missions at sea, emergency response and firefighting. 

GFS was looking for a top-quality training system that would faithfully replicate the cockpit of its H175 helicopters, which incorporate a number of enhancements - external cameras, thermal cameras and mission system - that distinguish it from the standard model.  

They also needed the simulator to have a database that faithfully reproduced the vast areas in which they conduct their operations, which required very accurate 3D modelling of the terrain. 

The operator chose Indra after extensive market research among the world's best simulator manufacturers, who competed in a demanding international bidding process. 

Indra delivered a system that met the standards required for Level D certification and accompanied GFS throughout the process to ensure that it obtained the highest level rating from both the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Agency (CAD).  

GFS Head of Training Pilots and Standards, Captain Trevor Marshall, said: "From the outset we were impressed by the dedication and focus of the Indra team, who worked with us for two years on the development of this simulator, meeting targets and exceeding our expectations. We are very pleased to have selected Indra and feel that we have established an excellent partnership with their team. 

Rafael Junco, Director of Simulation at Indra, explained that "the simulator prepares pilots to fly in zero visibility conditions, to land on ships, to provide medical emergency services and transfer injured people to hospitals, as well as to carry out firefighting, surveillance and rescue tasks in the mountains and at sea. It trains them to fly in complex weather conditions and to react to any risk situation". 

Indra is one of the few manufacturers in the world that equips its systems with the same flight software and avionics systems as real aircraft, which ensures the fidelity of the simulator and, therefore, of the training. The use of simulators accelerates and improves pilot training, enhances safety and contributes to extending the life cycle of aircraft, reducing failures and reserving their use for real operations. It also reduces fuel costs and unnecessary CO2 emissions.

Indra's systems train military pilots of helicopters such as the NH90, Tiger, Cougar, Chinook, Blackhawk and Seahawk, AW159 Wildcat or MH53. In the civil sector, it has helicopter simulators for the EC135, H225, H175, AS350, H145, EC145, Bell212, Bell412 and Sikorsky S76. In addition to these systems, there are simulators for such advanced fixed-wing aircraft as the A400M or Eurofighter, among others, or the A320, Boeing 737 or ATR 72 passenger aircraft.