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The simulator will be ready for training in early 2016 and will be incorporated into a new 13,000 square foot Pacific Sky Aviation training facility to be constructed adjacent to Viking’s corporate headquarters in Victoria.
Michael Coughlin, CEO of Pacific Sky Aviation said, “With the addition of a Level “D” Full Flight Simulator (FFS) for the Twin Otter, Pacific Sky will now be able to offer the same level of training experience for Twin Otter crews as is currently available only to the most advanced commercial airline flight crews. This new simulator will help our clients enhance their safety management programs through improved training capabilities and more detailed simulation of real world scenarios, while greatly reducing the time and cost for operators to develop seaplane captains.”
Based at Victoria International Airport in British Columbia, Canada, Pacific Sky Aviation specializes in Transport Canada approved flight training for private and commercial pilot licenses and ratings, and has recently begun to offer flight operations and seaplane base consulting services. As a related company to Viking, Pacific Sky also provides Twin Otter developmental and production flight testing services for all Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft, ferry services to customer locations, and in-country Twin Otter pilot training.
The new Level “D” FFS will be built with the very latest in motion technologies, including 60 inch stroke actuators to provide full range of motion for water operations, expanded visual technologies and field of view, and a powerful and flexible instructor station with expanded debriefing capabilities. The simulator will be qualified to the highest regulatory standard for Twin Otter operations on wheels with full training credits available for the aircrew. The simulator will also provide real-life simulation and dynamic surface modeling for seaplane training operations, a first of its kind.
Coughlin added, “This simulator will break new ground in the industry as it will extend this advanced technology into a seaplane training application – something that has never been done before. This will mean that, beginning in 2016, Twin Otter seaplane pilots will be able to experience simulated takeoffs, landings and docking operations on a range of sea states and water conditions, including glassy water, with a variety wind conditions. The typical simulator field of view will be expanded through the introduction of additional projection devices that will provide a full view for Twin Otter pilots to assess water conditions below prior to landing and to look out the window and backwards to simulate actual docking techniques.”
David Curtis, president and CEO of Viking added, “We at Viking are very excited to see this breakthrough in training technology that will deliver the highest possible level of industry training to our Series 400 Twin Otter customers. Market response to the Series 400 has been strong, and we forecast an increasing demand for Twin Otter seaplane operations in existing and new locations throughout the world. This simulator will help new operators get initiated and assist all operators lower training costs and increase aircraft availability.”
“The development and installation of a full flight simulator for the Twin Otter Series 400 is a first for our company, and an exciting opportunity for our growing team,” explained George Karam, TRU Simulation + Training vice president and general manager, Air Transport Simulation. “The Twin Otter aircraft has a rich history and we’re pleased to be bringing this important asset to Pacific Sky Aviation’s new Twin Otter pilot training center.”
