A new virtual reality crew simulator is the latest addition and completes the full suite of simulators at the LifeFlight Training Academy, enhancing the facility as a one stop shop for aeromedical training.

The equipment transforms the way aircrew officers train for lifesaving winch missions, by combining high fidelity virtual reality technology and physical elements, built into a replica of a helicopter cabin.

“You wear a harness, you can put your gloves on, you hear everything through a headset as you would for real, the winch cable runs through your fingers, sitting with the winch pendant in your other hand,” said RACQ LifeFlight Rescue aircrew officer Greig Allan.

The equipment joins the Thales Level D Full Flight Simulator for pilots and the medical simulator for training flight doctors, nurses and paramedics; meaning the LifeFlight Training Academy, which is located in Brisbane, Australia, can now offer simulated training across all key roles of aeromedical care.

“This is the final string in our bow for aircrew training, it creates an opportunity for crews — both LifeFlight crews and external clients — to come to the academy and tick off any type of training they need to do, such as helicopter underwater escape training or crew resource management training,” said LifeFlight training academy executive manager Tim McGuire. “New aircrew officers can come here and train in a much calmer environment than with a live helicopter — they can do a ground lesson, then do static training in the simulator and get a feel for an aircraft before going anywhere near a real helicopter.”

Chief aircrew officer and simulator instructor Simon Gray said the system also allows trainers to develop crew members to a higher level.