The first Mi-8MTB helicopter simulator has been brought into operation in St.Petersburg

A conference on the operation of flight simulators was held in St.Petersburg from 12 to 14 November. At the conference, TRANSAS presented Mi-8MTV helicopter simulator installed at the Aviation Training Centre (ATC) of the joint stock company "SPARC".

On the basis of preliminary testing result, the State Civil Aviation Service (SCAS) of the Russian Federation took a decision on the bringing of Mi-8MTV helicopter simulator into operation. The "SPARC" Aviation Training Centre was issued with a tentative license to conduct simulator training, valid until the end of certification procedure. This allows the simulator to be used in the implementation of the flight personnel training and conversion programs.

The simulator has been developed by TRANSAS, in close cooperation with the joint stock company "SPARC". It is remarkable that this is the first modern helicopter simulator in Russia to have been developed by two private companies.

The essential feature of the simulator is the application of advanced training procedures under:

• Crew Resource Management (CRM);
• Line Oriented Flight Training (LOFT) programs.

LOFT and CRM programs have been recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the SCAC of the Russian Federation for use in the simulator training, and enable the flight crew training in standard and abnormal situations, including in-flight emergencies.

TRANSAS is Russia's leading company in the production of up-to-date marine and flight simulators, simulator systems, onboard navigation equipment.

The joint stock company "SPARC" is a leader in the repairs of helicopters developed by M.L.Mil Design Bureau and "Kamov", training of engineering personnel and Mi-8 to Mi-8MTV conversion courses for the flight personnel, rendering of comprehensive services to the helicopter companies.