16.07.2021

Heli Austria Flight Academy is going to operate two Virtual Reality Helicopter Flight Simulators

Dübendorf, July 16, 2021: Heli Austria Flight Academy is going to operate a Robinson R22 and an Airbus H125 Training Device from VRM Switzerland. The Robinson R22 Training Solution will be utilized to modernize basic helicopter pilot training within the Academy. Students can benefit from state-of-the-art training up to commercial operations. The Airbus H125 Simulator will enable training and checking of commercial pilots. All this improves flight safety, is more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Improving flight safety by targeted crew training

“Heli Austria is constantly searching for innovative solutions to improve flight safety throughout the entire helicopter industry. To reduce the environmental pollution is another objective of the company. With the Training Solution from VRM Switzerland, we have found a product which also supports our efforts in a cost-efficient manner.” Roy Knaus, Owner & CEO Heli Austria. “I expect an increase in the quality of our training as a simulator enables reliable planning at any time of the day. No transition flights are necessary, and scenarios can be trained that meet the requirements of the respective crew member. Manoeuvres and emergency situations can be trained in this simulator which are too risky in the real helicopter. For operations, it is very important that our teams can do their job to the best of their ability. We want our crews to return safely every evening.” adds Philipp Köhle who is responsible for the Crew Training.

From student pilot to commercial pilot

“It is difficult to find qualified helicopter pilots. For this reason, Heli Austria operates its own Flight Academy to give young talents the opportunity for a continuous career as a pilot and our company long-term employees. It is important to us that pilots have a positive attitude towards simulator training in a realistic device. The simulators bring us a step closer to achieving this goal” comments Roy Knaus. With the introduction of a Robinson R22 and an Airbus H125 Training Device, Heli Austria Flight Academy covers the entire segment of helicopter operations.

I have the opportunity to learn a lot from the experienced pilots. In a simulator, they can show us young pilots what can be done with a helicopter and how to operate it safely. Flying is a constant learning process.

Florian Karst

Pilot

Simulation in Swiss Quality

VRM Switzerland’s sophisticated overall system creates a full-body immersion. It gives the pilot the feeling of sitting in a real helicopter. The highly dynamic motion platform allows the pilot to precisely feel the finest changes in attitude and touchdown on the ground. A numerical simulation enables the realistic representation of the flight behavior. The cockpit is modeled on the real helicopter. The pilot’s movements are displayed in the VR environment, enabling operation of the cockpit including haptic perception. In addition, the software is optimized for VR glasses. This has the great advantage that the pilot has exactly the same visual representation as in the real helicopter, which is unique.

A wide range of training opportunities

A unique built-in flight assistance system which assists the instructor in guiding students through basic maneuvers enables training to obtain a private pilot’s licence. A wide range of training options are covered, from commercial pilot training to special operations such as external sling load operations (HESLO). Various emergency procedures, including autorotations with landing and tail rotor failure, can be practiced without any risk. The high-resolution 360° 3D visualization system enables demanding mission training to improve the competencies of even highly experienced pilots.

About

VRM Switzerland is an innovative team of 30 passionate engineers, highly specialized developers and dedicated aviation experts that has achieved the world’s first Aviation Authority qualification of a Virtual Reality Training Device with its Robinson R22 Training Solution. All mechanical designs and electronic circuits are designed and coordinated in-house. Another strength of the team is its proximity to flight schools and operators. Swiss launching customers Mountain Flyers, the Heli Academy, the development partner Air Zermatt, helicopter manufacturer Kopter and other specialists enable the development of sophisticated training solutions with optimal benefits. Several other European operators have already ordered this training concept. www.vrm-switzerland.ch

Heli Austria operates 40 helicopters ranging from the Robinson R22 up to the Super Puma. The company employs 50 pilots who work worldwide in a wide range of helicopter operations. Heli Austria flies mainly from their bases in Austria in commercial operations and Helicopter Rescue Services. Their own Flight Academy contributes to giving talented pilots the opportunity to work in commercial helicopter operations. Heli Austria is committed to using innovative solutions to improve flight safety and implement measures to protect the environment. www.heli-austria.at

I expect an increase in the quality of our training as a simulator enables reliable planning at any time of the day. No transition flights are necessary, and scenarios can be trained that meet the requirements of the respective crew member.

Safety is something that affects everyone, not just us! The whole industry can be brought into disrepute by accidents and that’s why it’s important that we work together and improve flight safety.

A huge topic for us with the VRM simulators is also the topic of the environment. On the one hand, of course, that we do not consume any fuel or produce CO2 but also in terms of noise.