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May
19
2025
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Posted 2 days ago ago by Admin
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Around the corner from Helsinki International Airport, Coptersafety stands as a center of excellence in the helicopter pilot training world. This innovative company has carved a niche for itself by focusing exclusively on simulator-based training, pushing the boundaries of safety and proficiency within the demanding world of helicopter operations. “Our mission at Coptersafety has always been to increase safety in the rotorcraft industry, with bespoke [custom tailored] training services for helicopter pilots around the world,” said Hannu Marjoniemi, CEO and co-founder of Coptersafety.
The idea for Coptersafety came from the need to enhance the safety of the helicopter aviation industry by providing high-quality training to pilots worldwide. Founded by a pilot and a team of simulation and training specialists, commercial operations began in 2014 with a single Level D full-flight simulator (FFS) for AW139 pilots.
Coptersafety's core philosophy revolves around the belief that comprehensive, realistic simulation is paramount for developing skilled and resilient pilots. Unlike traditional training methods that rely heavily on in-aircraft experience, Coptersafety leverages cutting-edge FFS, replicating real-world scenarios with unparalleled accuracy. This approach allows pilots to confront complex emergencies and challenging conditions in a controlled environment, fostering critical decision-making skills without the inherent risks of live flight.
To meet the needs of the industry, Coptersafety operates five Level D FFS for four aircraft types and has grown to be the largest independent helicopter simulator training provider. More specifically, the company provides simulator training services utilizing a full-flight simulator fleet – AW139, AW169, H125, and H145 – to all operating segments. They currently serve a global customer base and essentially have all major aviation authority approvals – EASA, FAA, TC, U.K. CAA, GACA – along with a wide range of national civil aviation authority acceptances.
“Our location in Helsinki, Finland, steers our geographical customer base naturally towards Eurasia, Middle East, and Africa due to relative proximity and direct flight connections. However as indicated, we have customers from around the world,” reiterates Marjoniemi.
Coptersafety’s simulators are equipped with high-fidelity visual systems, motion platforms, and realistic cockpit layouts, creating an immersive and authentic training experience. From offshore oil rig operations and search and rescue missions to emergency medical services and law enforcement scenarios, Coptersafety's simulators can recreate a vast spectrum of operational environments.
One of the key differentiators of Coptersafety is its commitment to customized training programs. Recognizing that different helicopter operations require distinct skill sets, the company works closely with its clients to tailor training modules to their specific needs. This personalized approach ensures that pilots receive targeted training that directly addresses the challenges they face in their daily operations. Toni Rönnberg, Coptersafety’s COO elaborates, “We have in-house visual modeling to create visual databases tailored to any of our customer’s needs. Whether it is a personal yacht or a hospital with a rooftop helicopter pad and surrounding obstacles, we can make it happen – with a reasonable schedule and cost. With custom visuals in the simulator, pilots can train and prepare for their real-life challenges in their specific operations and environments, elevating safety even further.”
Beyond the advanced technology, Coptersafety's success is also attributed to its team of highly experienced instructors. These seasoned professionals bring a wealth of real-world expertise to the training environment, guiding pilots through complex scenarios and providing invaluable insights. Their dedication to safety and proficiency ensures that every pilot who completes Coptersafety's training programs is equipped with the skills and knowledge to handle even the most demanding situations. “At Coptersafety, our instructors differentiate us from other training organizations. All our instructors have extensive careers in aviation. Our instructors have decades of experience with different operational backgrounds. Many still actively fly in helicopter operations such as offshore, HEMS, and search and rescue, or work as maintainers around the world,” said Matt Presnal, chief theoretical knowledge instructor for Coptersafety.
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An Eye on the Future and Innovation
Coptersafety’s impact extends beyond individual pilot training. The company also plays a crucial role in promoting industry-wide safety standards and innovation. By sharing its expertise and best practices, Coptersafety contributes to a culture of safety within the helicopter industry, ultimately benefiting pilots, operators, and passengers alike.
According to Presnal, “Statistically, 20% of helicopter flight-related accidents occur during flight training. Simulators are suited for training situations, which are impractical, dangerous, or expensive to reproduce in a live environment. In a simulator, the environment is designed and controlled to avoid hazards. A trainee can make errors and then learn from them, as well as repeat normal and abnormal procedures which may not be considered appropriate or safe to train in the actual helicopter.”
Simulators have been used for pilot training for decades, thus the benefits of simulator training are well-known. Technical features such as customized visual scenarios are a big advantage especially for helicopter recurrent training. Currently, new technology like virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), or augmented reality (AR) are being introduced in many helicopter flight-training environments.
Coptersafety’s head of training, Mikko Kallio, sees the continued benefits of Level D full-flight simulators for pilot training and does not see that changing. He says, “We are always monitoring the development of training platforms and are open to new technologies for use as part of a pilot’s training, such as AR, VR, or MR.”
In addition to new simulation tools, training methods have evolved over the years, especially evidence-based training (EBT), which has progressively been incorporated into recurrent airline training. “The idea behind EBT is using data from the aviation industry, such as safety reports and operational data, to essentially act as an indicator for what pilot training should emphasize. This will most probably be the development for recurrent helicopter training as well,” says Kallio.
The technological capabilities in today’s glass cockpits and automation are astounding and sometimes can be quite overwhelming for pilots to learn. This can bring challenges to training safely and effectively. Until recently, most commercial helicopter flight simulators were limited to larger, type-rated aircraft, or military aircraft applications. “We are now starting to see light and medium twin-engine helicopters able to train in flight simulators, such as our H125 and H145 full flight simulators. Now, pilots can receive the type of training that used to be reserved only for larger helicopter types. I think this is a move in the right direction for the industry,” says Presnal.
In a world where safety is paramount, Coptersafety's dedication to advanced simulation training sets a new standard for helicopter pilot proficiency. By combining cutting-edge technology, expert instructors, and a personalized approach, the company is shaping the future of helicopter safety, one simulated flight at a time. The Finnish company is a testament to the power of simulation, proving that the safest way to learn to fly is often by staying firmly grounded.
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