Kiowa Flight Instructors To Train On New Boeing Helicrew Stimulator

In an effort to improve the capabilities of flight instructors, Boeing subsidiary Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) has installed a Helicrew stimulator at the Oakey army aviation training center. The Helicrew is designed to replicate the Bell 206B-1 Kiowa and allows the BDA qualified flying instructors to further hone and test their training procedures through a variety of simulated situations. Mark Brownsey, Army Aviation Training and Training Support project manager for BDA, said, "Our investment in the Helicrew shows our ongoing commitment to supplying industry-leading, in-country instruction to align with the future of rotary wing training. As we mature this synthetic capability, we will work with our customer on opportunities to use the Helicrew to provide some pilot instruction in a more cost-effective, lower-risk environment than flying real Kiowas". Charlie Stone, chief pilot at AATTS, said, "The Helicrew gives us the flexibility to plan training exercises much more quickly than before. It also allows us to better prepare for emergencies in a safe environment, and to assess our performance at any point of the exercise – all of which will ultimately benefit pilots in training. Through AATTS contract awarded in 2007, Boeing supports the Army's Kiowa, Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters with pilot, aircrew and technician training, operational fleet maintenance, and support services.