New flight simulator at Air Zermatt

With the new flight simulator, Air Zermatt is reducing its ecological footprint. In addition, the new acquisition is a long-term solution to reduce costs and time. Every pilot must undergo flight training at least every six months: This is the OPS (Operator Proficiency Check) every six months and the LPC (License Proficiency Check) every year. Thanks to the modern VR simulator, Air Zermatt can carry out every second training session at the heliport.

According to Gerold Biner, CEO and pilot of Air Zermatt, prospective pilots can also complete their first flying lessons in the simulator. "They get a feel for the machine and have less trouble operating the equipment when they finally sit in a real helicopter". The machine simulates the Ecureuil H125 (AS 350 B3e), which is used by Air Zermatt for all kinds of flights. With this helicopter, the Valais air company carries out tourist and transport flights, but also rescues.

Training opportunity for difficult manoeuvres

The results after the first flight hours are good, as Tizian Gruber, chief operator of the new flight simulator, confirms: "Compared to the real helicopter, virtual reality offers an extremely realistic simulation. The advantage is particularly evident in difficult manoeuvres: "Special situations such as losing a tail rotor or performing an autorotation all the way to the ground are simply too dangerous in the real helicopter and can hardly be practised. The simulator opens up new possibilities for us and closes gaps."

A flight simulator for all

However, the simulator is not only available to Air Zermatt pilots. The general public should also be able to use the simulator: "Try out the experience of flying once or find out whether the vocation of a pilot is something for you. This new acquisition also makes that possible," says Biner. He is convinced of the flight simulator's technology: "It works flawlessly, the goggles offer optimal implementation without delay and the entire team is highly motivated to work on the new device. We can already see an enormous added value."

Source: jungfrauzeitung