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NSW Police will be able to continue to operate its EC-135s after CASA stepped in to grant a dual military and civilian qualification to an ADF flight simulator.
The action was necessary because COVID has prevented NSW Police pilots from conducting vital training overseas.
Thales’ Reality H EC-135 flight simulator was technically granted a ‘dual Flight Simulator Level B/Flight Training Device Level 3 qualification’.
“The certification by CASA is a triumph of collaboration and teamwork across multiple government organisations and industry partners with NSW Police, ADF, CASA, Thales Australia and Boeing Defence Australia all working together to meet the rigorous requirements of civilian qualification in a compressed time frame, all in an effort to keep the fleet of NSW Police EC-135s in the air during this critical time,” said Thales in a statement.
“With all three 723SQN flight simulators having already been qualified by the ADF, this is the first time a rotary wing flight simulator has achieved dual military and civilian qualifications in Australia. The evaluation of the 723SQN simulator, located at HMAS Albatross occurred in 2020 during the COVID Pandemic.”
NSW Police’s aviation commander, Superintendent Matt Appleton, said, “Despite the current pandemic, state and federal law enforcement agencies are working together to ensure that our officers receive the necessary training and qualifications, we’re very grateful that we can utilise this simulation training so we can continue to provide excellent service to the people of NSW.”
Thales Australia’s director of training and simulation, Michael Otero, said, “This collaboration has seen that together the ADF, law enforcement agencies and emergency rescue services deliver and enhance their aviation training needs.”
