Take your training to the next level

These benefits directly relate to improved safety and reduced aircraft flight time and emissions, which results in direct cost savings and increased operational readiness.

Operational helicopter hoisting is a multivariable task requiring strong communication, physical coordination, and quick decision making, yet the training available has historically not reflected this operational environment. In a classical training continuum, there is no preparation available before live flight and no replication for operational conditions beyond training flights limits – the first time you hoist in heavy winds, to a moving platform, manage turbulent flow zone or hoist in high sea states, you do so at the risk and cost of live operations.

Save costs and lives

In September 2022, our Bluedrop USA Orlando facility will be launching our Simulation-As-A-Service (SimAAS), which is a cost-effective option to provide rear crew training for multiple mission scenarios. “This high-fidelity hoist trainer is a world-class simulation product and is fielded with both defense and commercial customers. The SimAAS is a game changer,” says Dr Brett Ulander, President of Bluedrop USA.

The SimAAS training approach supports smaller organizations and those awaiting delivery of one of our hoist simulators. This simulator reinforces learning outcomes so that skills related to situational awareness and crew interaction are delivered as simulator sessions in the Hoist Mission Training System (HMTS). This reduces the scope of training completed on the aircraft, which reduces the cost and improves the allocation of resources and provides just-in-time training options prior to a flying mission. All this can be packaged in a cost-effective manner with the following configurations:

• Orlando office - Hoist Training Equipment with Bluedrop provided trainer and courseware

• Orlando office - Hoist Training Equipment with customer supplied trainer and courseware

• Portable Hoist Training Equipment sent to customer facility with options for Bluedrop’s or customer provided trainer and courseware. 

Bluedrop’s SimAAS was trialed in conjunction with Air Center Helicopters, which wanted to enhance their training and engaged Bluedrop to provide in-house hoist training at our Orlando facility. “It was great to see the vast improvement from the students’ first pull to leaving confident headed into live helicopter training,” said Dan Johnson, Bluedrop USA Lead Instructor, after the training.

Roger Justice, Air Center Helicopters Assistant Program Manager, commented: “Bluedrop’s hoist simulator has proven extremely useful for all experience levels, from new hoist operators, all the way to operators that have decades of experience. The ability to set the environment from the ocean to mountains with clear skies or heavy snow, as well as inject emergencies, provides the training environment I need for our hoist operators to be prepared. The virtual reality, coupled with a real, moving hoist cable that reacts to the aircraft/environment, provides a level of immersion that surpasses other simulators I have used, all at a fraction of the cost per flight hour of an aircraft.”

In a world that is ever evolving and becoming more cost conscious, Bluedrop USA’s SimAAS is set to revolutionize the hoist training delivery market. Bluedrop can provide the full rear crew training package. Bluedrop is committed to providing world class advanced training solutions including state-of-the-art training and simulation products and highly interactive courseware and technical documentation. Reach out to a Bluedrop representative today!