The Helicopter Simulation Centre promotes interconnection among bases

On 8 October the Logistics Support Command presented the interconnection of the Helicopter Simulation Centre at the base 'Coronel Sánchez Bilbao' in Almagro (Ciudad Real). This joint initiative with Indra is a pioneer project in Europe, and places the Spanish Army Aviation Academy (ACAVIET) at the forefront worldwide. Nowadays, there are six different helicopter simulators at the Colmenar Viejo base (Madrid) and two of the 'Tigre' model in Almagro. Next year two NH90 models at the Agoncillo base (La Rioja) are expected to join the network of interconnected simulators for joint training.

This system trains pilots in a decentralised manner, as the different bases can participate in the same exercise simultaneously, as explained by the chief of the Logistics Support Command, Lieutenant General Pardo de Santayana. This does not only allow pilots to familiarise with the geographical area, but also with the operations when preparing a mission, as well as registering their exercises in order to monitor their progress.

The Director of the Defence Area in Indra, Vicente Rolo, claimed that pilots will improve their skills thanks to the simulator that allows to easily recreate complex hostile scenarios, and use night visibility devices. Colonel Fuentes, director of ACAVIET, anticipated that the next contingent travelling to Iraq will test the simulator for the Chinook and Cougar helicopters at the Colmenar base.