Singapore set to become regional hub for training helicopter pilots

SINGAPORE - Singapore is fast becoming a regional hub for training helicopter pilots, with a new full-flight simulator starting operations earlier this month. Besides France, the Republic is the only country to have this high-tech machine, situated in Seletar Aerospace Park and operated by aerospace group Eurocopter. About 40 pilots from five nations, including Australia, India and the United Arab Emirates, will train at the Eurocopter simulator this year. Trainees will get to experience flying over France and try their hand at executing different chopper manoeuvres. "It's hard to practice emergency situations because it is very dangerous. So this simulator lets us practice in safety," said Mr Park Chang Sung from the South Korean Coast Guard, who has trained with the simulator. Mr Scott Kitchen, who trained Mr Park, said simulators make pilot training safer. "It also saves valuable training dollars for any company or any organisation because the cost for a flight hour is much more than what it costs to run the flight simulator," he said. Eurocopter's training centre in Seletar Aerospace Park also has another simulator that is used by the Republic of Singapore Air Force. Some 50 pilots train with it every year. Noting that training with a simulator plays a crucial role in honing pilot skills, instructor Ronnie Chan said: "Sometimes when you practice in the air, you feel a bit lost because you don't know what to do. (In the simulator), technique-wise, if you are wrong, we'll correct you." Eurocopter said more bookings for the training services are in the works. Thanks TODAY ONLINE