2 Ecuadorian pilots trained on ALH Dhruv’s simulator cockpit

Bangalore: Ecuadorian pilots operating the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv have undergone simulation training at the Bangalore-based Helicopter Academy to Train by Simulation of Flying (HATSOFF), a joint venture of HAL and CAE Canada.
The two pilots of Ecuadorian presidential fleet are among the first to undergo training on the ALH Dhruv simulator cockpit which was recently certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
HATSOFF chief executive officer Wing Commander (Retd) CD Upadhyay, said the two pilots had undergone five hours of simulation training each on the ALH Dhruv simulator cockpit.
“As part of the training, various situations were simulated. The pilots, apart from undergoing conventional training, were exposed to critical emergency situations from which they had to bail out,” Upadhyay said.
The two pilots would again return in December for another five hours of training which was mandatory, he added.
In addition to two pilots of Ecuadorian presidential fleet, 16 pilots of the Ecuadorian Air Force operating ALH Dhruvs would come to Bangalore soon to undergo simulation training.
Ecuador is the biggest overseas customer of ALH Dhruv which is India’s flagship defence export. India had clinched $51-million deal with the South American country and supplied seven choppers.
12/07/11 C Uday Bhaskar/Daily News & Analysis

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Categories: Foreign Jul 2011