HELITECH AIR SHOW, London, United Kingdom - 

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. and FlightSafety International today jointly announced the launch of the first full flight simulator for Sikorsky’s S-76D™ helicopter platform. Located at FlightSafety’s Learning Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., the new simulator replicates the aircraft’s exact flight and operating characteristics, ensuring high quality training for operators worldwide. Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS), Sikorsky Aircraft’s aftermarket business, implements and manages all training programs for Sikorsky’s military and commercial platforms. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

“Sikorsky and FlightSafety worked closely together to design and develop this advanced technology full flight simulator and training program,” said Lawrence Varholak, SAS Chief Engineer and Director of Analytics, Technology & Engineering. “Our longstanding collaboration and commitment to safety ensures that Sikorsky operators receive the most up-to-date, comprehensive training available today.”

The simulator is designed to reduce maintenance requirements, improve reliability and maximize availability. FAA and EASA qualified, the unit is equipped with FlightSafety’s newly enhanced VITAL Visual System, which provides for continuous global satellite high-resolution imagery. It displays highly realistic scenes optimized for a wide variety of mission-specific training scenarios and low level flight operations. Additionally, the S-76D simulator offers 60” electric motion and control loading technology, and CrewView rigid glass mirror display system.

“The entry into service of FlightSafety’s new Sikorsky S-76D simulator in West Palm Beach further demonstrates our commitment to support Sikorsky’s efforts and to provide our mutual customers with the highest quality training at locations that meet their specific needs,” said Bruce Whitman, President & CEO of FlightSafety.

The S-76D helicopter is designed for safety, reliability and efficiency. The aircraft integrates standard features including all-composite, flaw-tolerant main rotor blades, an advanced THALES integrated avionics system and autopilot, health and usage monitoring system, active vibration control, and powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S engines.

“As the fielding of these aircraft advances, SAS is supporting entry into service on a variety of fronts,” said Varholak. “We are executing pilot and maintenance training programs, as well as providing field service technical support personnel and help desk support engineers.”

FlightSafety International is the world’s premier professional aviation training company and supplier of flight simulators, visual systems and displays to commercial, government and military organizations. The company provides more than a million hours of training each year to pilots, technicians and other aviation professionals from 154 countries and independent territories. FlightSafety operates the world’s largest fleet of advanced full flight simulators at Learning Centers and training locations in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Japan, South Africa, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Sikorsky Aircraft, based in Stratford, Connecticut, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service. Its SAS business designs and applies advanced logistics and supply chain solutions for commercial rotary, military rotary and fixed wing operators. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide.