Bluedrop CH-148 training extended

Bluedrop Training and Simulation has been awarded a $13 million contract by Sikorsky to provide training courseware and instructors for pilots and maintainers learning to operate Canada’s fleet of 28 CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopters, the company announced on 21 June.

The contract extends the training that Bluedrop provides to the Canadian Maritime Helicopter Project by three years.

Under the contract, Bluedrop will provide more than 30 skilled training programme support personnel, simulator operators, technician and aircrew instructors for the Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF) 406 Operational and Training Squadron located at 12 Wing Shearwater in Nova Scotia.

The Cyclone training suite includes two aircraft maintenance trainers and six mission procedures trainers, two operational mission simulators and two flight simulators, supplemented by several maintenance part task trainers.

The CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopters are designed for anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare.

Jean-Claude Siew, vice-president of technology and simulation, Bluedrop, said: ‘This training agreement will ensure that RCAF aircrew and maintenance personnel remain in complete readiness to fly and maintain the Cyclone helicopters as the Canadian Maritime Helicopter Project transitions from development to operational status.’