Entrol, the manufacturer of EASA and FAA certified FNPT, FTD, and FFS flight simulators, has announced a new milestone in its global expansion: the development of its first Bell 214B simulator, to be operated by McDermott Aviation in Australia.
The simulator, based on the iconic Bell 214B helicopter, stands out for its unique, highly customised cockpit configuration. Since there are very few operating units of this heavy-lift single-engine aircraft left globally, Entrol has approached this project as a bespoke development.
The configuration delivered to McDermott Aviation, which in March acquired the type certificate for the Bell 214ST, goes beyond standard flight training. By incorporating Mixed Reality (MR) goggles, the simulator enables highly immersive training for complex operations – enabling pilots to interact naturally with the physical cockpit controls while being fully immersed in a high-fidelity virtual environment.
For aerial firefighting and cargo training, entrol has developed a dedicated Mission Scenarios Package powered by Unreal Engine IG. The database features five specific elevated helipads, as well as an additional option of 10 specific airports and heliports. This allows crews to practice water drops, heavy lifting, and approaches in real-world tactical environments, recognising terrain and operational obstacles with unprecedented precision.
John McDermott, President at McDermott Aviation, says: “As we progress the McDermott 214ST programme, our focus extends beyond the aircraft itself. We’re building a complete support ecosystem that includes training, engineering, maintenance and operational capability for current and future operators.
“The addition of the Entrol simulator is an important part of that commitment. It will provide a highly realistic training environment that supports pilot familiarisation, recurrent training and operational readiness, while reflecting the modern avionics and systems being incorporated into the next generation of the McDermott 214ST platform.”
Having spent decades operating and maintaining these aircraft in some of the world’s most demanding environments, McDermott understands the importance of investing in the tools and technology that support safe and effective operations.
John McDermott adds: “Our goal is to provide operators with not only a proven heavy-lift helicopter platform, but also the training and support infrastructure required to maximise capability, safety and long-term operational success.”
