In September 2018, TRU Simulation + Training provided the world’s first-ever CL-415 Level D full flight simulator to Ansett Aviation’s training center in Milan, Italy. The device, a development program for TRU, was qualified to EASA Level D standards and ready for training in December 2018.
History of the CL-215/415 Aircraft
• An amphibious turboprop aircraft with waterbombing capabilities, the CL-415 was introduced by Canadair in 1993 as a retrofitted CL-215 for aerial firefighting
• Bombardier later took over manufacturing, followed by Viking Air’s acquisition of the worldwide amphibious aircraft program from Bombardier in 2016
• There are currently 164 of the CL-215/415 aircraft in operation, with the majority in Europe and North America
o Greece, Italy and Spain hold the biggest fleet sizes of anywhere in the world
• The aircraft can scoop 13,500 pounds of water (6,100 liters) in 10 to 12 seconds and drop it in six
A Critical Need for the CL-415 and a Safer Training Environment
• Recent wild fire emergencies in Europe and western United States have increased the need for CL-415 pilots
o The CL-415 with its water-bombing capabilities has provided necessary aid to firefighters on the ground
• Training on the aircraft has traditionally been completed via live flying in the aircraft itself, creating a significant safety hazard
What TRU’s Simulator Brings to the Industry
• Simulator-based training offers multiple benefits including:
o Reduced costs: Simulator training reduces wear-and-tear on the aircraft and lowers fuel costs
o Increased Safety: A simulator provides a safe training environment to practice risky missions in a true-to- life environment
o Higher quality training: Close simulator/instructor one-on-one experience in a safe environment without the risk of outside threats and loss of downtime
o Less aircraft downtime: Aircraft can be kept mission-ready and utilized for live firefighting missions more often, which effectively reduces the major economic and environmental impact that a wildfire brings
• Leads to less maintenance downtime during fire season. Development of the FFS focuses on key requirements fortraining:
o Four different shapes of fire
o Four types of intensity/level/ranks of forest fire
o Wind streaks in 3D dynamic waves and speed above 15 knots
• Possible to perform all real-life aircraft scenarios:
o Water scooping, water landing and water take-off and taxiing
o Performing such simulated training tasks vs in a more risky live-fly scenario
TRU Brings Know-How to the CL-415 Program
• In late 2017, TRU provided the world’s first FFS with seaplane capabilities for the Twin Otter 400 amphibious aircraft
• Device is currently training pilots from around the world in Calgary, Alberta at Pacific Sky Aviation
• Device is the first of its kind to offer seaplane training options using Level D capability and allowing pilots the opportunity to safely practice takeoffs and landings in a range of sea states, winds, and water conditions (including glassy water)
• TRU is a proven aviation simulation leader (i.e TRU’s selection by Boeing to develop FFS for the 737 MAX and 777X aircraft programs
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