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A Thales-built rotary wing flight simulator has been granted dual military and civilian qualifications in Australia.
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The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has granted a dual Flight Simulator Level B/Flight Training Device Level 3 qualification for one of the Australian Defence Force’s Thales Reality H EC-135 flight simulators.
The qualification enables the NSW Police EC-135 pilots to use the simulator to ensure its fleet remains operational, given current restrictions on overseas training amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The qualification was granted following collaboration between the NSW Police, ADF, CASA, Thales Australia and Boeing Defence Australia.
NSW Police’s Aviation Commander, Superintendent Matt Appleton, said the simulation training was vital for the force’s pilots.
“Despite the current pandemic, state and federal law enforcement agencies are working together to ensure that our officers receive the necessary training and qualifications, we’re very grateful that we can utilise this simulation training so we can continue to provide excellent service to the people of NSW,” Superintendent Appleton said.
Thales Australia’s director of training and simulation, Michael Otero, added, “This collaboration has seen that together the ADF, law enforcement agencies and emergency rescue services deliver and enhance their aviation training needs.”
This marks the first time a rotary wing flight simulator has achieved dual military and civilian qualifications in Australia.
The 723SQN simulator, located at HMAS Albatross, was assessed in 2020 in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
[Related: Thales to develop new sonar technology for French submarines]
