Airbus Helicopters, U.S. aircrafts part of Dutch aerospace and defense company Airbus Group, and French rival Helisim are continuing to expand the helicopter pilot and maintenance crew training centre in Grand Prairie, Texas.
With a $40 million investment, the new facility, expected to house new Thales Reality H level D full-motion flight simulators for the Airbus H145 and H175 twin-engine helicopters as well as its existing training facility, will provide unparalleled training solutions to North American customers.
The joint venture between Airbus Helicopters and French aerospace company Thales, Helisim, will develop and operate the simulation center and expects the new centre to bring several thousand pilots and maintenance personnel to Grand Prairie every year.
The first stage of the new facility is scheduled for completion later this year when the first new Thales Reality H Level D full-motion flight simulator will be delivered.