RuAviation

The pilots of the Russian airline SkyLight, part of the multidisciplinary group of companies Aim of Emperor, have been retrained at the Ulan-Ude Aviation Training Centre. The training took place on a new comprehensive Mi-171A2 helicopter simulator, the press service of Russian Helicopters said.

Under the current Federal Aviation Regulations, it is mandatory for flight personnel to undergo annual retraining that includes theoretical and practical training in certified aviation training centres. Since this year, the Mi-171A2 pilots undergo practical training on the helicopter simulator complex, which allows them to practice actions in standard and emergency situations in different weather conditions.

At the end of the training the pilots passed exams, the results of which confirmed their level of knowledge and skills necessary for safe piloting of the Mi-171A2. As a result of the training, the crews were issued documents that give them the right to further operate helicopters of this type.

The complex is equipped with a modern visualisation system that realistically depicts the out-of-cabin space. It is equipped with a vibrating platform and a start/stop function that allows the crew to pause a mission, detail crew actions and continue the mission or start again.

“Last year, SkyLight received its first Mi-171A2 multipurpose helicopter, which is involved in passenger operations. The flight crews were trained to pilot these machines at the aviation training centre of Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, and now they were among the first to be retrained at our simulator complex, which has been in use at the company since the beginning of 2023. The use of the simulator makes it possible to optimise the cost of helicopter operators, as well as to increase the level of pilot training. Its main advantage is the possibility to practice all types of failures and abnormal situations, simulated taking into account the experience of Mi-171A2 operation. Thus, the updated format of pilots’ training contributes to higher level of flight safety,” said Alexey Kozlov, U-UAZ Director General.

Pilot operation of the first Mi-171A2 simulator was launched at U-UAZ at the end of 2022, and in early 2023, the company received a decision from the Federal Air Transport Agency to allow its use for the training of flight personnel.