Aviation Australia’s new education campus at Brisbane Airport, which includes Australia’s first AW139 Level D full flight simulator, was officially opened on September 28.
The $10 million, 5,000m2 facility was funded by Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) and includes 20 new lecture rooms, a technical training centre and cafe.
The new development will be able to accommodate an additional 500 students on campus and brings Aviation Australia’s total lease area on the airport to approximately 19,000m2, including its adjacent training centre and airside hangar.
“Our new facility will continue to improve the services we offer to the aviation industry and our growing domestic and international customer demand,” said Aviation Australia chief executive Bill Horrocks.
“This new facility further strengthens our ability to provide world-class training in aviation related disciplines including engineering, cabin crew, aviation security, pilot training and ground operations.”
The new training campus features the co-located Thales LifeFlight Simulation Centre, part of LifeFlight’s HEMS Academy, featuring a Thales Reality H AW139 full flight simulator.
“The Thales LifeFlight Simulation Centre will provide life-saving training to hundreds of aviation professionals from around the world each year,” said LifeFlight chairman and former Queensland premier Rob Borbidge.
“The partnership between LifeFlight and Thales in developing the world’s most advanced commercial helicopter simulator is a special relationship that works for the mutual benefit of both parties. This is a strong commercial initiative and partnership which will be advantageous for Thales, LifeFlight and our Training Academy.”
The Level D certified AW139 simulator is fitted with the latest Hexaline electric motion system, a 235 by 80 degree visual display and a ThalesView image generator.
The simulator will be used for pilot type conversion, initial and recurrent IFR training, night vision imaging system (NVIS) and night VFR refresher training, along with high-risk scenario training such as engine or hydraulics failures, and severe weather and offshore flying while using NVIS.
