Australian Army accepts MRH90 FFMS into service

The Australian Army has accepted an MRH90 full-flight and mission simulator (FFMS) into service at the Army Aviation Training Centre Oakey in Queensland. This is the first of two MRH90 FFMS to be delivered by CAE as part of the Australian Defence Force’s MRH90 training programme.

The MRH90 FFMS has now been certified by the Australian Defence Force Airworthiness Authority to Level D under the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and Joint Aviation Requirements (JAR) standards based on an evaluation conducted by an independent authority. This certification is the highest qualification for flight simulators, and this is the world's first NH90 helicopter simulator to be formally certified to Level D by a defence force and an independent aviation regulatory agency.

As the prime contractor for the ADF's MRH90 training programme, CAE has overall responsibility for providing two MRH90 FFMSs, training facilities, and comprehensive engineering and support services. The second MRH90 FFMS will be delivered to Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Townsville and is expected to be certified to Level D early next year.

Col. David Burke, Commandant of the Australian Army's Aviation Training Centre, said: ‘This simulator allows instructors to present pilots with a wide range of operational training scenarios such as flying in to remote bush landing sites, flying in formation with other aircraft, and being safely exposed to complex emergency situations.

‘The majority of basic training will now be conducted in the simulator before pilots get to the real aircraft. The aim of the training is to immerse the pilots in the simulation, so they feel as though they are flying the real aircraft, completing real missions and dealing with real emergencies.'

Peter Redman, managing director, CAE Australia, added: ‘The ADF fully understand how simulation-based training has proven to be one of the best approaches for improving safety, operational efficiency and mission readiness. The ADF has always been committed to providing its forces with the highest fidelity training systems possible, and are continuing to do so as part of the MRH90 training programme.’