Training - HATSOFF offers a Modern Simulator environment

April 2010 will see a world class helicopter simulator training establishment—the Helicopter Academy to Train by Simulation of Flying (HATSOFF)—take-off to a flying start in Bangalore. A spate of helicopter accidents followed by recommendations by the Kaushik committee of the need for helicopter simulators in the country, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) request to the Rotary Wing Society (RWS) to look into the matter and the RWS passing the baton to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Rotary Wing Academy for the finish finally led to the implementation of this project by HAL.

SP’s AirBuz (SP’s): When and how did the idea to establish a helicopter simulator training academy originate?

C.D. Upadhyay (HATSOFF CEO): The idea was conceived in 2004. However, cases of mishandled emergencies as also accidents in bad weather, lent a degree of urgency that provided the necessary impetus for the translation of the concept into reality. It was also appreciated that the HAL manufactured Dhruv advanced light helicopter, which would dominate the Indian skies in future, is a modern helicopter with an array of complex systems and a glass cockpit. Operation of the machine being expensive, a Full Flight Level D Simulator would facilitate the training of pilots on the various systems, the glass cockpit as also on procedures and emergencies without any time constraints. Simulator training would also be at a fraction of the cost as compared to that incurred in logging the same number of actual flying hours on the machine. The facility would help synergise training efforts of both the civil and military helicopter fleet. Separate training establishments for civil and military helicopter training would entail higher levels of initial investments as also higher recurring costs.

SP’s: What are the types and numbers of simulators HATSOFF will offer?

HATSOFF CEO: HATSOFF will be a Type Rating Training Organisation approved by the DGCA. It will be equipped with a Full Flight Simulator/Full Motion Level D Simulator and a Level 6 Flight Training Device. At present, we will have one mother ship with four cockpits. The second mother ship will be installed in the near future.

SP’s: What courses or exercises will be offered by HATSOFF to civil and military pilots?

HATSOFF CEO: We will offer type conversion, recurrent training, instrument rating training and test, proficiency test and role training for both military and civil pilots, including operations from offshore platforms, hill flying, desert flying or other roles envisaged in the future. In addition to the curriculum for civil pilots, military pilots can undergo training in weapons firing and operation of specialised systems, such as electro-optical pod, electronic warfare systems, helmet-mounted sight and the use of Night Vision Goggles for Nap-Of-the Earth flying. Training on a simulator will accrue enormous savings as, apart from reduction in flight time, it would also reduce expenditure on firing practice weapons. All civil training curricula will be FAA/JAR (Federal Aviation Administration/Joint Aviation Requirements) and DGCA certified. Courses offered to the military will be customised to their needs.

SP’s: On what helicopter types would simulator training be imparted at HATSOFF? How many trainees would be inducted in the first batch?

HATSOFF CEO: The first cockpit to be set up is the Bell 412EP. I believe operators of Bell 412 helicopters in the country would consider HATSOFF as an attractive option for type conversion, recurrent training, instrument rating tests and proficiency tests for their pilots. These are mandatory requirements stipulated by DGCA under the civil aviation rules. In all, the number of pilots would be around 135. Compared to similar training abroad, the advantages are lower cost and savings on foreign exchange. In certification, we will invite customers from abroad as well. In addition, we will also seek Type Rating Training Organisation approval by the DGCA/FAA/EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency).

SP’s: Which are the Indian helicopter operators on your radar?

HATSOFF CEO: We have already initiated dialogue with major helicopter operating companies, like Pawan Hans, Global Vectra, United Helicharters Private Limited and others. All of them are very enthusiastic about simulator training and have promised their full support to this project. The DGCA is also very excited about the project. There is full support and encouragement from the DGCA. The Indian Army and the Indian Air Force have also evinced keen interest in this project.

SP’s: How will the Rotary Wing Academy of HAL benefit from HATSOFF?

HATSOFF CEO: Our proposal is to merge the Rotary Wing Academy with HATSOFF in future. A pilot undergoing ab initio training will complete 150 hours of flying on a single engine helicopter to secure the Commercial Helicopter Pilot Licence and then go on to fly 10 hours on the simulator for conversion to a multi-engine. Thereafter, the pilot can be duly cleared and released to the industry to fly as a co-pilot.

SP’s: How is this simulator going to be different from other helicopter simulators?

HATSOFF CEO: We will have rollon/roll-off platform simulators so that cockpits of different helicopters can be used. The visuals of existing Level D civil helicopter simulator do not permit low level or close-to-ground exercises. Since this simulator will also be used for the military, we have contracted with CAE for the supply of Medallion 6000, a visual system with very high resolution and fidelity that is being used by the US Marines before embarking on actual operations. HATSOFF will be the only facility in the world in the civil segment to be equipped with this system. We will be the second simulator company in the world to possess a Liquid Crystal on Silicon projection system. All the other helicopter simulators have systems with Cathode Ray Tubes.