Tag: Safety As A Service

SIMULATION WIZARD VISITS COPTERSAFETY

SUPPORTING RESEARCH ABOUT SIMULATOR EDUCATION

Recently, Coptersafety was visited by Anssi Salmi, also known as the Simulation Wizard. He tested out our AW169 full-flight simulator with Coptersafety instructor Matti Rytkönen, as part of Anssi’s research.

It is always nice to see how advanced aviation simulations are especially in point of pedagogical view. – Simulation Wizard.

Anssi is a PhD student at Aalto University, and senior lecturer at XAMK University of Applied Sciences. He is researching the use of simulators of all kinds as a learning device. Specifically, the research dissertation is titled “How to build an effective Simulation Learning Environment”.

The aim of the dissertation is to answer questions such as; What constitutes an effective simulator exercise? How great is the impact with realism? What about pedagogy? How is it possible to build an exercise which serves both the simulator and the real world? You can watch the full explantation of Anssi’s research in his video:

The research covers the use of simulators in various industries, not only helicopters and aviation. Other industries included thus far have been healthcare, forestry, logistics, and driving schools. 

The result of the research will be a model for efficient simulation teaching environment. The aim is that the model will help educational institutions, as well as simulator manufacturers. 

As part of the visit, Anssi spoke with Sanna Kotomäki, our Communication and Business Development Director, about Coptersafety’s operations and the use of full-flight simulators for helicopter pilot training. He also flew in our TRU Odyssey H AW169 full flight simulator with Matti Rytkönen, to gain knowledge in the realism of the device.

You can watch Anssi’s video from his visit, now on the Simulation Wizard YouTube channel (in Finnish with English subtitles):

We are happy to have been able to provide a rotor input into Anssi’s research. We look forward to his final dissertation in a few years. You can follow along to Anssi’s journey @simulationwizard or follow his podcast (in Finnish).

MAINTENANCE TEAM SAFETY TRAINING

SAFETY IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. FOR EVERYTHING.

At Coptersafety, safety is our priority. Our entire business is built around making a safer helicopter industry. Our focus for safety expands beyond pilot training, to act as a function of every part of our business and base. We are committed to developing, implementing, and constantly improving the strategies and processes to ensure all our activities meet all applicable standards of safety.

One aspect of safety we practice, is safety training for our maintenance team. Our team of simulator engineers are responsible for maintaining our five full flight simulators, so that we can keep training pilots. Sometimes, that means the crew needs to work on the simulator projectors situated on the top of our full flight simulators. Which is 8 meters (or 26 feet) above the ground. That is why it is vital that our team knows the right and safest practices.

Photo of a maintenance team member practicing the proper safety attachments with the rope and clips.

MAINTENANCE TEAM SAFETY TRAINING

In early December, we were visited by Alexander Heinonen from Safeguard Engineering. A company solely specialized in working at high heights and fall protection. They offer comprehensive height services from trainings, installations, and other products. 

Alexander gave a short and basic but simulator-specific training on the safe practices for working at high heights. Due to the specifications of the space, it was important to focus and practice on top of the simulator to ensure the safest practices are met. As our crew said after the training;

It was a good reminder of what you’re supposed to keep in mind to stay safe. 

A maintenance team member and the instructor looking at the various attachment points
View from below the simulator and the maintenance team with the safety instructor

We pride ourselves in providing high-quality training and outstanding services. That’s why we chose to work with Alexander and Safeguard Engineering, because they also understand and provide qualified training where trainees learn valuable skills. At the same time, trainees are training and asking questions based on their own experiences and environment. 

This is not a training that is mandatory by Finnish law but is a Coptersafety rule; that all maintenance team members must take a training of the safe practices for working on top of the simulator at one point, typically when they start at Coptersafety. While the maintenance crew may only need to go on top of the simulators a few times a year, safety is not something we’ll ever compromise on.  

Safety comes first. Here at Coptersafety we are committed to implementing and constantly improving the strategies and processes to maintain the highest levels of safety, in and out of the simulator. Join us in making the helicopter industry safer.