Boeing sets up Kiowa simulator

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OAKEY, Australia, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Boeing's Australian subsidiary has installed a crew training simulator for Bell 206B-1 Kiowa helicopters at an army facility in Queensland.

The simulator at the Oakey Army Aviation Training Center is specifically to enable Boeing Defense Australia's flight instructors to refine and test training procedures for crews of the Kiowa, which is operated by the country's military.

"Our investment in the Helicrew shows our ongoing commitment to supplying industry-leading, in-country instruction to align with the future of rotary wing training," said Mark Brownsey, AATTS project manager for BDA.

"As we mature this synthetic capability, we will work with our customer on opportunities to use the Helicrew to provide some pilot instruction in a more cost-effective, lower-risk environment than flying real Kiowas."

AATTS is the acronym for Army Aviation Training and Training Support contract, which was awarded to Boeing Defense Australia in 2007. Under the award, BDA provides the Army's with pilot, aircrew and technician training, operational fleet maintenance, and support services for its Kiowa, Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters fleets.

"The Helicrew gives us the flexibility to plan training exercises much more quickly than before," said Charlie Stone, chief pilot at AATTS. "It also allows us to better prepare for emergencies in a safe environment, and to assess our performance at any point of the exercise -- all of which will ultimately benefit pilots in training."