cueSim Ltd announced that the ADAC HEMS Academy, Germany has received Qualification for the first of two Full Flight Simulators at their base in Hangelar. The device, which simulates EC135 T2 and P2 is the first helicopter Full Flight Simulator to be Qualified in Germany. A second device, providing EC135 T2+ and P2+ and EC145 simulation will also be supplied.  Each simulator features cueSim’s own six degree of freedom electric Motion platform and ten channel visual system utilising cueSim’s Image generation software to display exceptionally high quality custom databases for both land and maritime applications.

CEO of the HEMS Academy, Thomas Hutch (pictured right with Steve Jackson MD of cueSim) said “These simulators are the best of their type in Europe and will ensure that the HEMS academy is able to deliver training of the highest standard for many years to come”

cueSim Ltd, of Bedford, UK and Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club. are pleased to announce:

Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club (ADAC), have placed contracts with cueSim Ltd for 2 Full Flight Helicopter Simulators, for internal and 3rd party, training and checking of pilots for the EC135 and EC145.

The FFS B simulator for the EC135 will be equipped with analogue instruments, and electronic CPDS. The FFS B will be reconfigurable between EC135 T2 and P2, and facilitate future reconfiguration to the EC135 P2i and T2i variants.

The FFS B simulator for the EC145 will be fully EFIS and will be reconfigurable to EC135 P2i and T2i, and facilitate future reconfiguration to EFIS variants of the EC135 P2 and T2.

The simulators, to be qualified to JAR-STD 1H / JAR-FSTD H Level B will be based at a purpose designed facility at Bonn-Hangelar (EDKB) airfield, very close to the Cologne-Bonn International Airport (CGN).

ADAC’s FFS B contracts for EC135 and EC145 pilot training follows a rapid growth of interest in cueSim simulators, which address operator requirements for highly capable synthetic training, checking and testing devices, whose acquisition and operating costs match civil helicopter industry economics.

On completion, ADAC’s FFS B simulators will be the world’s first, level B helicopter simulators, qualified under JAR and will feature cueSim’s world leading flight modelling software, complemented by cueSim’s high fidelity motion, force feel control loading, vibration cueing and state of the art visual systems.

The visual database is of particular importance with this level of simulator and will provide significant training benefits. Very high resolution databases will cater for both HEMS operators, and to 3rd party customers whose operations are not HEMS oriented. They will incorporate local German training and operational mission areas, such as confined areas and obstacle hazards, and facilitate low level training tasks and visual navigation. Both simulators will also allow NVG training.

cueSim, is a subsidiary of QinetiQ, one of the world’s leading defence technology and security companies.

cueSim’s Managing Director, Robert Coppard, said, “This marks the beginning of a long partnership with one the most prestigious organisations in Germany, and one with a very high profile aviation role.  It is a significant win for cueSim in the face of some formidable competition, and reflects the faith that ADAC have placed in the quality and expertise of our team.  We look forward with great anticipation to seeing our simulators in the new ADAC HEMS Academy, at Bonn-Hangelar”.

In 1968 ADAC launched a pilot scheme to prove the benefit of air rescue for accident victims. In 1972 it founded its subsidiary ADAC-Luftrettung GmbH that has since developed the German air rescue system. The company owns 42 helicopters on 33 rescue bases of the types EC 135 and EC 145/BK 117. ADAC Luftrettung employs 125 pilots and is the biggest air rescue company in Germany.

A cueSim EC135 Flight Training Device (FTD), installed at Bond Air Services’ training centre at Staverton in the UK, has become the world’s first JAA approved FTD Level 3. The simulator had to comply with the stringent JAR-STD 2H Level 3 standard in order to achieve qualification.

In addition to the instrument rating (IR) credits obtained by FNPT III dual qualification, Bond have had the device qualified to provide the major part of the following type checking credits:

• Type conversion
• Licence Proficiency Test
• Operator Proficiency Test
• Type Rating Instructor (TRI) course
• Type Rating Examiner (TRE) course
• MCC
• PAOM Non IR Pilot recency type specific

The cueSim EC135 FTD has a replica cockpit, electric four channel control loading, on-board IOS, large field of view visual display, and includes a cueSim MaxcueTM 6-DoF electric motion platform; an option under the JAR-STD. One of the main differentiators for the Level 3 FTD is the helicopter flight model. cueSim gathered the necessary flight test data and validated the simulator’s flight model against the real flight data to achieve matches within the narrow tolerances allowed by the JAR-STD 2H Level 3 standard. Due to the modular nature of cueSim’s hardware and software solutions in its FTD product range a cueSim FTD can be supplied for almost all helicopter types. cueSim’s Managing Director, Peter Birkett said, “This represents a highly significant milestone for cueSim. Although a world-leading achievement in its own right, FTD Level 3 Qualification is only half the battle. To have a customer achieve all the anticipated credits for this – the first FTD of its kind – puts cueSim at the forefront of affordable, high fidelity helicopter simulation. As Bond’s Managing Director Trevor Larman said, ‘the training credits are exactly what we hoped for — if not more ‘.”

Head of Flight operations for Bond, Captain Merrick Forsyth, said: “We see this investment as having a dual benefit; firstly, it will allow us to develop the ability of our own pilots as they will be able to train with greater flexibility and to higher levels using the simulator. At the same time it allows Bond Air Services to offer this excellent facility in the open marketplace affording the student the highest level of training at a very realistic cost.  In short, this device allows the pilot to learn the toughest lessons in the safest place.”

Using cueSim’s  FTD Level 3 device training organisations will be able to achieve over 80% of the training credits of a FFS Level D simulator at a small proportion of the price.

The coalition mission training exercise Trial Red Skies took place during the week 28th Feb – 4th March 2005 at Bedford, UK. The trial utilised 2 new Tornado GR4 simulators, built and installed by cueSim specifically for use in the trial.

Red Skies was sponsored by DEC(TA), and led by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), as part of the wider Mission Training through Distributed Simulation (UK MTDS) programme and looked at the transfer of training for aircrew, operating in a networked synthetic environment, prior to their participation in the live flying equivalent in March 05: Ex Red Flag. The trial involved operational UK Tornado GR4 aircrew, E-3D aircrew and USAF F-16C aircrew.

The 2 Tornado GR4 VANguard simulators supplied by cueSim are the first UK type representative cockpits to be used in the UK MTDS programme. The cockpits will allow the assessment of training benefit associated with cockpit fidelity in a mission training exercise. The simulators were built to cueSim’s standard VANguard philosophy of maximizing commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology and combining this with modular hardware design and utilization of cueSim’s fully featured RTAVS real-time software framework. All the relevant GR4 systems were modelled, with pilots displays being generated on standard LCD panels with representative overlays/bezels containing additional switches and dials. The outside world view was provided by a large field of view, multi-channel, front projected part spherical screen. All the visual channels were frame-synchronized, as well as being edge blended and geometry corrected, for display on a dome.

Ebb Smith, Dstl Policy & Capability Studies, responsible for running the trial, commented, “I would just like to express my thanks to the cueSim team for the incredible effort put in to support Trial Red Skies. Time scales were incredibly short yet the two new build cockpits & domes, plus the Nellis range database, were delivered on time, to cost and of a very high quality.”

cueSim’s Technical Director Steve Jackson said, “cueSim had only six months to design, build, deliver and integrate these simulators, as the virtual exercise had to be run before the real Red Flag exercise. This was a tough order; the fact that we succeeded is a testament not only to our design philosophy and experience, but also to the quality and dedication of the staff we employ.”

Four crews from 13 sqn were able to participate in the full mission cycle; planning, briefing, flying and debriefing. The manned package element consisted of 4 Tornado GR4 (UK Air-to-Ground), 4 x F-16C (US Swing role) and a 3-crew station E-3D (operated by UK Air C2 OEU crew from AFRL, Mesa). The rest of the package and other coalition assets, plus the majority of air and ground threats, were provided as Computer Generated Forces controlled and directed by a military White Force, to ensure tactical and doctrinal integrity. cueSim provided all four of the GR4 simulators, with the 2 new type representative simulators and two existing generic simulators, and a large proportion of the CGF, including all the Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) assets.

VANguard represents the family of products and support facilities cueSim can use to provide a turn-key solution to any collective or mission training need. VANguard is fully extensible: from low cost mission stations through to high-end full motion mission simulators, and readily allows for future cost effective upgrades as more powerful and faster PC-based components become available. VANguard utilises cueSims Real Time All Vehicle Simulator (RTAVS) software harness, which has been specifically developed as a low cost, high performance PC-based system capable of being integrated with a wide range of new and legacy systems. The simulator software architecture has been developed for military and civil applications with built-in support for distributed, collaborative air operations training exercises.

Helicopteros del Sureste, a member of Grupo INAER, have ordered a cueSim Helicopter FTD Level 3 with motion for the BELL 412.

The simulator, to be qualified to JAR-STD 2H Level 3, will be housed in a purpose-built installation at INAER’s headquarters in Spain. “To maintain the commitment of Grupo Helisureste to increasing the flight security on its operations, we have decided to procure a cueSim Bell 412 FTD. This simulator provides our Group of Companies with the latest in technology for pilot training and puts us at the forefront of this field in Spain. Due to the experience of cueSim in other countries, we are confident of the success of this project and further joint ventures”, said Luis Miuano Sanvalero, Managing Director.

To qualify as a Level 3 FTD all of the BELL 412 systems have to be represented, including full representations of the Autopilot and Navigation systems. The flight modelling requirements for a FTD Level 3 are particularly stringent in order to justify the high level of type specific training and checking credits that can be awarded for a device at this level.

The order for the BELL 412 follows on closely from the recent qualification of the Bond Air Services FTD for the EC 135, supplied by cueSim, which is already being heavily used by Bond. cueSim’s extensive use of Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) technology and modular software design means that there will be a high degree of commonality between the two different types of STD despite the different aircraft internal layouts. This also means that this same approach can be used to allow cueSim to readily provide STDs for other, different helicopter types.

Helicopteros del Sureste, like Bond Air Services Ltd., selected the motion option for the FTD, provided by cueSim’s own 6-DoF electric motion platform product (Maxcue. The device will also be provided with cueSim’s electric control loading system (Loadcue), to provide fully representative force feel on the cyclic, collective and pedals. The outside world view will be provided as a multi-channel, high resolution seamless projected visual display with a bespoke visual database. The visual database is of particular importance with this level of Synthetic Training Device (STD) and will provide significant training benefit with the extensive use of digital, photo and satellite, imagery of the Galicia region. The database will be tailored to Helicopteros del Sureste’s requirements and will incorporate their specific training and operating areas. Areas of very high level detail will be provided to support low level training tasks and visual navigation.

cueSim’s Commercial Director, Paul Read, said, “This is an important order for cueSim, it builds on the success of the Bond FTD for the EC135, and firmly establishes us as the leading supplier of high fidelity, cost effective, helicopter FNPT and FTD training devices. HSE are an important helicopter operator in the region and we very much see this as the start of a long term relationship.”

cueSim, as part of team ACTIVE, will be supplying the simulators and sub systems for the MTDS CCD facility to be built at RAF Waddington.

The collective training facility will be designed to promote effective collaboration between co-located or geographically separated teams and allow white force controllers and role players, together with technical teams, to monitor and control the simulation. The facility will include 4 GR 4 simulators, 4 Typhoon simulators and 8 visual enclosures, all with mixed levels of fidelity.

The multi-player environment will include Computer Generated Forces cell, under dynamic control of the WF. Monitor, Control and Record mission progress and Role- playing systems (inc. AWACS station, manned Red Threats). The ability to Record & Play-back sortie data for review purposes. The system will include replay of Fast jet HDD and HUD, long haul and local synchronisation of de-brief. Further abilities include, Monitor, Control & Record of mission progress, and robust voice communications. The modular design will allow for reconfiguration and /or growth of the system.

cueSim’s role as part of the MTDS winning team will be to design and manufacture the mission simulators and sub systems that will be used through out this facility. cueSim will supply as Type representative cockpits (TRC) 2 new Tornado GR4 cockpits and 2 new Typhoon cockpits, also improvements to the existing GR4 cockpits. Large field of view multi-channel enclosures will be included, with partial sphere with 250 degree (H) x 75 degree (V) Field of View (FOV). Ten DLP SXGA (1400 x 1050) projectors will be mounted inside with digital edge blending and geometry correction, all fully enclosed.

cueSim’s Technical Director, Steve Jackson, said, “This represents a fantastic opportunity for cueSim to build on its range of type representative mission training devices, and have them involved in a sophisticated multi-player training environment.”

CHC Helicopter Corporation, have ordered a cueSim Helicopter FTD Level 3 with motion for the Super Puma Mk 2. The simulator, to be qualified to JAR-STD 2H Level 3, will be based in CHC’s European Operations.

The CHC order for the Super Puma FTD follows a rapid growth of interest in the cueSim solution, which addresses operator requirements for highly capable synthetic training devices, whose acquisition and operating costs match civil helicopter industry economics.

cueSim, a subsidiary of one of the world’s leading defence technology and security companies, QinetiQ, uses sophisticated flight modeling software developed originally within QinetiQ.  This modular software design permits a high degree of commonality between various types of simulator, and enables a common approach to the design of simulators for a range of different aircraft types.

CHC, like Bond Air Services Ltd., selected the motion option for the FTD, provided by cueSim’s own 6-DoF electric motion platform and force feel controls on the cyclic, collective and pedals. Simulation of aircraft vibration cues are also all included in the FTD.

The outside world view will be provided as a multi-channel, high resolution seamless projected visual display 60 degrees vertically (+20,-40) and 210 degrees horizontally with a bespoke visual database. The visual database is of particular importance with this level of simulator and will provide significant training benefit with the extensive use of digital, photo and satellite imagery. The database will be tailored to CHC requirements and will incorporate their specific training and operational areas. Areas of very high level detail will be provided to support low level training tasks and visual navigation.

cueSim’s Managing Director, Robert Coppard, said, “This is an important order for cueSim, it builds on recent successes, and firmly establishes us as the leading supplier of high fidelity, cost effective, helicopter FTD and FFS B training simulators. CHC are one of the most significant global helicopter operators and we very much see this as the start of a long term relationship.”