Atlantic Airways inaugurates new flight training centre in the Faroe Islands, powered by Thales’s helicopter pilot training solutions

Thales and Atlantic Airways celebrated the inauguration of a new flight training centre in the Faroe Islands. This new centre features Thales’s world renowned, cutting edge, AW139 EASA-approved Reality H Full Flight Simulator Level D, for the highest level of training and certification. The simulator also includes a correlated hoist trainer that uses new Mixed Reality technology, supporting safer helicopter operations worldwide.

Benoit Broudy, Vice-President Training & Simulation, Thales commented: "We are proud that Atlantic Airways has entrusted us with delivering our AW139 Reality H® Level D Full Flight Simulator, featuring the innovative integrated Hoist Trainer powered by Mixed Reality technology. Developed hand in hand with their flight operations experts, these systems will provide pilots and crewmembers with highly immersive and realistic training, enhancing their proficiency to handle the most complex missions. This successful delivery further strengthens Thales’s position as a leading provider of helicopter simulation and training devices, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to safer skies for all."

Jóhanna á Bergi, CEO, Atlantic Airways stated: "The Thales FFS provides our pilots with an unparalleled cockpit experience, essential for mastering the operational challenges they may face in real-world scenarios. We’ve been confident from the beginning that partnering with Thales was the right decision. Their expertise, professionalism, and close collaboration with our team have been instrumental in bringing our vision to life. The AW139 simulator and integrated Hoist Trainer are key pillars of our Aviation Academy and will ensure world-class, mission-ready training for pilots and crews right here in the Faroe Islands.”

Realistic and immersive helicopter training experience 

The FFS, combined with latest MR technology for air crew hoisting, is a state-of-the-art, full-motion simulator integrating Thales’s patented Hexaline Technology, that provides a realistic and immersive helicopter training experience. With scenario-based flight and mission training, the systems will enable AW139 helicopter pilots and operators worldwide to train for complex offshore and onshore missions in adverse weather conditions, such as those encountered on the Faroe Islands, all with unmatched realism for maximum situational awareness and training quality. Pilots and aircrew operators can thus train safely in high-risk mission scenarios. 

New Mixed Reality technology 

Designed to train rescuers in their role as hoist operators, the hoist trainer module includes a physical cable hoist with a hoist control grip, allowing for a simulated payload to be raised or lowered. Intended to train hoist operators working at the rear of the helicopter, this versatile hoist model can vary in speed, while the Mixed Reality technology generated by the ThalesView Image Generation system provides visual cues, enabling the winchman to lean outside freely. The winchman's view is synchronized with the FFS’s movement, ensuring a consistent and seamless training experience that improves coordination between pilots and hoist operators.

The Atlantic Airways Aviation Academy will deliver advanced training with this simulator, including initial type rating, recurrent training and proficiency checks for both Visual Flight Rules and Instrument Flight Rules. This simulator will enable pilots to achieve the certification needed to fly the AW139 under EASA approval.