HELISIM

Helisim is a helicopter simulation and training centre located at Marseille-Provence international airport in Marignane, France, close to the headquarters and production sites of Airbus Helicopters. It was established in 2000 and trains pilots and crews on full flight simulators built around the original equipment manufacturer data package from Airbus Helicopters.

Simulators and training

The centre operates eight helicopter cockpits with full flight simulators and three cockpits with flight training devices. Helicopter types covered include the AS332 L1 and L2, H155, H225, AS365 N2, H175, NH90 and H160. Training is offered to civil, oil and gas, military and public service clients, and simulators can reproduce emergencies and critical situations that are hard to train for in flight.

Certification

Most simulators hold Level D qualification under both FAA CFR 142 Part 60 and EASA regulations. The company says it is the only EASA approved helicopter simulation centre whose simulator qualifications last three years.

Ownership and expansion

Helisim is a consortium of Airbus Helicopters (47 percent), Thales AVS (47 percent) and Defense Conseil International (6 percent). With Airbus Helicopters and Thales, Helisim LLC plans a training centre for pilots and maintenance crew near Dallas, Texas, at the headquarters of Airbus Helicopters Inc.

Company facts

• Established 2000, about 50 employees
• About 3,000 pilots trained and 11,000 flight hours each year
• About 150 customers
• Open from 6:30 am Monday to 5:30 pm Sunday
• Closed on 1 May and 31 December for heavy maintenance
• Email: helisim-marketing@helisim.fr