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AS355 Twin Squirrel Simulator

In a first for Australia, Heliwest's new Elite Twin Squirrel flight simulator is now operational and available to both experienced pilots and aspiring aviators.  

It's equipped with appropriate instrumentation and controls and a class specific flight model. External scenery shows visibility, airport lights, wind and cloud layers with continuous time of day settings. Based on satellite images, the area around selected airports is visualised with textures and reflects the land cover of a region.

Within the cockpit, primary flight controls include dual cyclic, collective and pedal set-up with autopilot disconnect buttons. Three TFT monitors are used for pilot, co-pilot and engine instruments.

All simulated instruments operate as in the actual helicopter and instrument response rates are equal to those found in the helicopter.

The simulator provides the instructor with the ability to control the simulation environment for Instrument Rating training (eg visibility or location) as well providing a variety of training tools. Situations such as malfunctions can be selected and ATC communication with the cockpit crew can be included.

This AS355 Twin Squirrel simulator is JAA, FAA and CASA approved for IFR and NVFR.  Bookings are now available.  Please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   for pricing.

The aerodynamic flight simulation will widely reproduce the flight characteristics of an AS355 Twin Squirrel.

The simulation of the flight performance is based on an accurate mathematical model. Full consideration is given to all variable surfaces and their effects. Simulation does include:

Variation of helicopter longitudinal, lateral and directional stability with altitude, airspeed and gross weight

Hovering characteristics

Translational lift

Vortex Ring state (settling with power)

Dynamic CG calculation based on load and fuel weight

The effect of wind from any direction, at speeds from zero to sixty knots is realistically simulated and controlled by the instructor. The wind shows the correct effect on the ground track display during in-flight operation.

Variation of temperature, pressure and density with altitude does follow the ISA standard model.

During take-off, heading control is accomplished via the use of cyclic. Translational lift is modelled during take-off acceleration.

The following is simulated during the landing phase:

Rate of descent versus speed, power setting and wind conditions

Control approach response

Transition to the hover

Ground cushion effects (including wind effects) and air to ground transients are simulated to the best available data, representative of the in-ground effect characteristics of the actual flight.