CAE launches CAE 3000 Series helicopter mission simulators

CAE today announced at the Helicopter Association International (HAI) Heli-Expo conference that the company is launching a family of new, affordable helicopter mission simulators for the previously underserved civil helicopter market.

The first CAE 3000 Series simulator will be available for training by the summer of 2010.

CAE is demonstrating a fixed-based version of the new CAE 3000 Series at Heli-Expo (booth #2045).

"This new CAE simulation capability offers unprecedented realism for helicopter-specific mission training, including offshore, emergency medical services, law enforcement, long line, high-altitude, corporate, and other operations," said Jeff Roberts, CAE's Group President, Civil Simulation Products, Training and Services. "The CAE 3000 Series solution is designed for a market which currently conducts most training in the aircraft and has been seeking new ways to improve safety and efficiency. We have developed the product family with extensive input from our Helicopter Advisory Board, which includes pilots, operators, manufacturers, and insurers."

The CAE 3000 Series is designed to address emerging global standards for helicopter flight simulation training devices (FSTD) in development by an international working group sponsored by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The new CAE helicopter mission simulators will meet or exceed current regulatory requirements, including U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) Level D or other levels according to customer training needs. The CAE 3000 Series simulators are part of a comprehensive suite of simulation-based training solutions for the civil helicopter market. The portfolio includes full-flight simulators, flight training devices, integrated procedures trainers, desktop virtual flight and maintenance trainers, and self-paced computer-based training and e-learning courses.

The CAE 3000 Series features CAE's industry-leading three-degree-of-freedom vibration platform, as well as a CAE Tropos-6000 visual system with direct projection dome, high-definition commercial off-the-shelf projectors, and up to a 220-degree horizontal by 80-degree vertical field of view display system with chin window coverage.

CAE is the first to incorporate artificially intelligent human form and moving vehicle dynamic simulation for civil helicopter training tasks and mission scenarios.

List prices for the CAE 3000 Series will depend on the helicopter configuration and customer training requirements and will range from less than US$4 million to approximately $10 million.

Source: CAE