Simulator OEM Entrol has announced that it will develop a Bell 214ST mixed reality (MR) simulator for McDermott Aviation. Since, for the moment at least there are relatively few Bell 214STs in service, though that may change when the type re-starts production as the McDermott 214ST, Entrol has approached this project as a bespoke development.
Entrol says that moving to MR as a solution creates highly immersive training for complex operations enabling pilots to interact naturally with the physical cockpit controls while being fully immersed in a high-fidelity virtual environment.
For aerial firefighting and cargo training, Entrol has also developed a dedicated Mission Scenarios Package powered by Unreal Engine IG. The database features five specific elevated helipads, as well as an additional option of 10 specific airports and heliports. This allows crews to practice water drops, heavy lifting, and approaches in real-world tactical environments, recognising terrain and operational obstacles with unprecedented precision.
Speaking about the announcement, John McDermott, President at McDermott Aviation, said: “As we progress the McDermott 214ST programme, our focus extends beyond the aircraft itself. We’re building a complete support ecosystem that includes training, engineering, maintenance and operational capability for current and future operators. The addition of the Entrol simulator is an important part of that commitment. It will provide a highly realistic training environment that supports pilot familiarisation, recurrent training and operational readiness, while reflecting the modern avionics and systems being incorporated into the next generation of the McDermott 214ST platform. Our goal is to provide operators with not only a proven heavy-lift helicopter platform, but also the training and support infrastructure required to maximise capability, safety and long-term operational success.”
Images: McDermott Aviation
