DGA Begins Qualification Testing on NH90 Maintenance Training Simulator

The French defence procurement agency (DGA) has started qualification testing on a maintenance training simulator for the NH90 Caiman.


The Virtual Maintenance Trainer (VMT) is being developed by Telespazio in co-operation with fellow NH90 operators Norway and the Netherlands and is described by the DGA as an 'innovative educational tool' allowing the 'implementation of new learning methods.'

 

According to the DGA the VMT can be customised to meet the needs of the learning path of the student and the instructor can 'replay each procedure and adjust the level of the simulator based on mistakes'.

The VMT will train personnel on all maintenance procedures including highly complex work including the removal of the rotor head, but while the work can take half a day, the training to do it only takes two hours using the VMT.

 

The DGA said: 'The safety of learning is also enhanced because the complex activities such as installation and removal of the blades can be repeated safely.'

The VMT will available to train students from the summer of 2013. Four of the systems are set to be in stalled at the new NH90 training school, CFIA (Centre de Formation Interarmées du NH90) which is being built at Le Luc en Provence, also home to the Tiger training school (EFA) and the French Army's EAALAT aviation school.

 

Mechanics on both the Caiman (Army) and Caiman Marine for the navy will be trained on the VMT at Le Luc.