At HAI HELI-EXPO 2014 we all experienced the buzz of helicopter flight simulation. It is
apparent that simulators are being seriously ogled for their technological advancements and safety benefits by primary flight training
organizations and commercial operators alike. Just a few decades ago, only the military was able to utilize what was extraordinarily expensive training equipment. Today, computer science advancements and exponential growth in markets like offshore oil and gas exploration have seeded the proliferation of high- quality, affordable simulation technologies. Recently, I had the opportunity to fly one of the simulators that created so much buzz at last year’s Heli-Expo: X-Copter.
LIKE A R44
As I entered the cool, clean environment of X-Copter’s simulation lab, I left outside the high-altitude sunshine of the company’s Prescott, Arizona, home. While the focus outside is often the prevalent central Arizona sunshine, my focus inside was on what sat in front of me: a FAA-approved X-Copter simulator for the Robinson R44, waiting to be fired up. The simulator cockpit is engineered to the exact specifications and size of the R44 cockpit, and the X-Copter’s powder- coated steel body construction is solid. I lifted my left leg to enter the simulator, just as I would do in a R44. My eyes were drawn to the custom anti-torque pedals. Yes, it seemed exactly like I was sitting down in a R44. After adjusting my position in the seat, my hands
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