Global Aviator May 2018 / Vol. 10 / No. 5 59
Airbus Helicopters,
Inc. has received a
contract valued at
approximately $116
million to deliver
16 additional UH-
72A Lakotas for
the United States
Army. The contract
is the company’s
second this year
(2018), highlighting
the U.S. Army’s
confidence and
growth capability of
the Lakota program.
This new contract
includes the UH-72A
production aircraft,
associated technical and
flight operator manuals
and program management
in training configuration
for the Initial Entry Rotary
Wing mission at Ft. Rucker.
The aircraft provided
under this contract are
from a 2016 fiscal year (FY)
procurement decision.
The UH-72A is a twin-
engine utility helicopter
used for a wide range of
military operations including
troop and light cargo
transport, MEDEVAC, VIP
transport, border security,
and Homeland Defense.
Airbus has delivered
more than 423 UH-72A
Lakota aircraft from its
facilities in Columbus,
MS, since the award of the
first contract in 2005. The
new contract enhances the
Lakota fleet and its training
mission. With additional
aircraft in the fleet, Lakota
operators have more
capability to conduct and
support disaster relief and
counter-drug operations
in support of civil agencies
or national emergencies.
Available in multiple
configurations, the UH 72A
Lakota is claimed to be the
lowest cost to buy, own and
operate of any U.S. military
helicopter in production. The
Lakota is a key component
of the Army’s Aviation
Restructuring Initiative (ARI)
and the primary rotary-wing
trainer for the U.S. Army
Aviation Center of Excellence
at Fort Rucker, Ala. •Airbus Helicopters to provide
16 Additional UH-72A
Lakotas for the U.S. Army
FlightSafety International announces the entry into service
of a new Boeing 777-300ER full flight simulator the
company built for use by the Japan Air Self Defense Force
to train crews for operation of their new VIP transport
aircraft. The simulator is installed at the Chitose Air
Base in Hokkaido, Japan.“We are pleased to have been selected to build a full flight
simulator for this very important program,” said Scott Goodwin, Vice
President, Simulation. “ The Level D qualification by the Japan Civil
Aviation Bureau demonstrates the fidelity of FlightSafety’s training
products and our commitment to provide aircraft operators around
the world with the highest quality training resources and support
they require.”
The new FlightSafety FS1000 simulator features tightly
integrated computer hardware and software across subsystems
which allow for more accurate and higher fidelity simulation. It offers
a new multi-function Instructor Operating Station designed to
enhance the effectiveness of training by providing an intuitive
interface, scalable graphics, and large multi-touch displays. The
simulator will be equipped with FlightSafety’s VITAL 1100 visual
system and feature a database of close to 100 airports to support the
demanding mission requirements of this program.
“A growing number of government agencies and airlines around
the world appreciate the many advantages FlightSafety offers
as an industry-leading supplier of full flight simulators,” added
Scott Goodwin.
FlightSafety has delivered over 140 simulators for commercial
aircraft to date. They include a variety of devices for aircraft
manufactured by Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Embraer and are
utilized by airlines in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North
and South America.
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 1.4 million hours
of training each year to pilots, technicians and other aviation
professionals from 167 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, the
Netherlands, Norway, South Africa and the United Kingdom. •Flightsafety International
built boeing 777-300ER
full flight simulator enters
service with the Japan
Air Self-Defense Force