LEONARDO AND FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL TO INTRODUCE AW189 FULL-FLIGHT SIMULATOR IN THE AMERICAS AS THE SUPER-MEDIUM TYPE’S SUCCESS AND PRESENCE GROWS STRONGER
Atlanta, 11 March 2026 – At Verticon 2026, Leonardo and FlightSafety International Inc. (FSI) announced the planned co-development and establishment of the first AW189 Full-Flight Simulator (FFS) in the Americas. This partnership includes the development of a Level D FFS, which will replicate the AW189 advanced avionics and flight systems at the highest possible standard, enabling realistic offshore and search-and-rescue mission training.
Additionally, the companies are developing a training collaboration to include comprehensive AW189 initial, recurrent, and specialty courses for pilots at FSI’s Lafayette Learning Center in Louisiana, strategically positioned to support operators throughout the Americas. The simulator entry-into-service date will be announced at a later time.
This latest move in the supply of advanced training solutions for the world’s most successful super-medium helicopter follows other initiatives, aimed at guaranteeing increased customer proximity on a global scale as the AW189’s market presence grows stronger at fast pace, not just in North and Latin America but also in Northern Europe and Asia.
Leonardo and FSI have an established collaboration in the training field, starting several years ago with the world class AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopter. This planned partnership for the first AW189 FFS in the Americas builds on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) announced in 2024, aimed at evaluating a range of potential collaborations in the field of training and simulation in the United States.
Belonging to the AW Family of products, the AW189 (8.3/8.6 tonne) combines superior payload and range with advanced technologies to successfully operate a wide range of missions such as search and rescue, energy industry support, passenger transport, firefighting, and law enforcement. Unique features of the helicopter include the capability of the main transmission to run without oil for 50 minutes and a built-in auxiliary power unit. The AW189 is available with more than 200 certified kits and is also the only aircraft in its class featuring a Full Ice Protection System (or, alternatively, a Limited Ice Protection System) certified for use in Europe, US and Canada. The type is delivered with a comprehensive support and training service package tailored to meet specific customer requirements to maximise mission effectiveness and safety of operations. The type is also certified for an automatic data transmission system enabling the aircraft to transmit flight data to a ground station using satellite communication in flight, 4G cell connectivity or Wi-Fi when on the ground. It offers a secure way to share an accurate picture of each flight so that Leonardo experts can assess data quickly, thus optimizing maintenance and support.
Over 170 AW189s have been ordered by operators worldwide to date, with more than 100 of them already in service. The AW189 remains the world’s leader in the super-medium helicopter class by market size, number of operators, countries, and applications including offshore transport, search and rescue, firefighting/disaster relief, law enforcement and passenger transport. The AW189 is growing its presence
in existing customers’ fleets as well as being selected by all new operators, particularly in the energy and public service markets.
About FlightSafety International Inc.
FlightSafety International is the world’s preeminent professional aviation training company and supplier of flight simulators, visual systems, and displays to educational, commercial, government, and military organizations. In 2026, the company celebrates its 75th anniversary, marking more than seven decades of advancing aviation safety through rigorous, real-world training programs delivered to pilots, technicians, and other professionals from 170+ countries. FSI currently operates the world’s largest fleet of advanced full-flight simulators at learning centers and training locations on six continents. For more information, please visit flightsafety.com.
Leonardo is an international industrial group, among the main global companies in Aerospace, Defence, and Security (AD&S). With 60,000 employees worldwide, the company approaches global security through the Helicopters, Electronics, Aeronautics, Cyber & Security and Space sectors, and is a partner on the most important international programmes such as Eurofighter, JSF, NH-90, FREMM, GCAP, and Eurodrone. Leonardo has significant production capabilities in Italy, the UK, Poland, and the USA. Leonardo utilises its subsidiaries, joint ventures, and shareholdings, which include Leonardo DRS (71.4%), MBDA (25%), ATR (50% ), Hensoldt (22.8%), Telespazio (67%), Thales Alenia Space (33%), and Avio (19.3%). Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), in 2024 Leonardo recorded new orders for €20.9 billion, with an order book of €44.2 billion and consolidated revenues of €17.8 billion. Included in the MIB ESG index, the company has also been part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) since 2010.
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