FlightSafety to Double Size of Sikorsky Simulator Center

Big news for FlightSafety International at this year's Heli-Expo (Booth 411) is the plan to double size of the Sikorsky helicopter training center at West Palm Beach with the addition of simulators for the S-92 and S-70 Black Hawk series.

A new four-bay building, scheduled to open in four months alongside the existing S-76 center (three simulators-one each at Level A+, Level C and Level D) will house the S-92 and S-70 simulators, which FlightSafety estimates will cost around $15 million apiece. The building will also include airframes for maintenance and technician training. The unique and non-Sikorsky specific-composite repair training center will also be expanded.

Strong demand for the S-70 Black Hawk simulator is expected from quasi-military operators around the world who opted for a civilian cockpit avionics package. Whether the simulator should feature CRTs or modern flat panel displays has not yet been decided. But firefighting simulation, anticipating the sale of more S-70 Firehawks, may be developed at a later date.

FlightSafety's three S-76 simulators at the Sikorsky center are also popular with Eurocopter operators for IFR training.