Nothing virtual about the success of the Reality H® helicopter full-flight simulator

  • Air defence
  • Helicopter
  • Civil Aviation

© Marius Vervik - Thales

  • Type Insight
  • Published
  • Last updated

Reality H ® is Thales’ flagship helicopter full-flight simulator solution. With fourteen units currently in operation around the world, we look into the reasons behind the Reality H® success story.

Training helicopter pilots for real-world missions requires more than just flight hours—it demands cutting-edge simulation technology. Reality H® delivers unmatched realism, enabling pilots to train for high-risk scenarios, extreme weather, and emergency procedures in a fully immersive virtual environment.

Reality H®: the gold standard in helicopter simulation

By combining high-fidelity flight models, full-electric motion systems, and mission-specific training scenarios, Thales’ Reality H® full-flight simulator offers an unparalleled training experience for helicopter pilots worldwide.

Expanding global reach with new Reality H® simulators

Over the past twelve months alone, Thales teams working at the facility in Osny, near Paris, have produced four new Reality H® simulators. One is set to be part of a collective connected H225M multiple simulator setup for the Kuwaiti forces. Another has been installed at the Helisim SA helicopter pilot training centre in Marignane, southern France, and has been configured to the designs of the new Airbus Helicopters H160; the full-flight simulator and the helicopter itself will be available on the market at the same time!

Breaking new ground in the United States and Africa

The third unit will shortly be installed within the brand new Helisim LLC training centre that has been built in Grand Prairie, Texas. This will be the first H145-configured full-flight simulator to be installed in the US (and the first Reality H® to pass the FAA certification), in response to strong demand from US-based pilots who hitherto had to travel to Europe for their training programmes. The fourth will be used by Nigerian helicopter operators Caverton in the new training centre currently being set up, and which will welcome pilots from the whole of Africa. This AW139-configured Reality H will be the first Level D helicopter full-flight simulator to be installed in Africa!

Reality H®: supporting global mission-readiness

According to Thales Helicopter Product Line Manager, Joël Flinois, “The future is bright for the Reality H® full-flight simulator. Aligned as it is with the mission-oriented and skills development needs of helicopter pilots, as well as with the operational requirements of operators, Reality H® is delivering high-level performance and unparalleled levels of realism and flexibility. It’s all about providing mission-readiness to helicopter pilots and operators, and at Thales we’re proud to be delivering our Customers the solutions to make this possible on a daily basis thanks to Reality H®.

© Alexandre - Light Ex Machina - Thales

The future is bright for the Reality H® full-flight simulator. Aligned as it is with the mission-oriented and skills development needs of helicopter pilots, as well as with the operational requirements of operators, Reality H® is delivering high-level performance and unparalleled levels of realism and flexibility. It’s all about providing mission-readiness to helicopter pilots and operators, and at Thales we’re proud to be delivering our Customers the solutions to make this possible on a daily basis thanks to Reality H®.

Joël Flinois - Thales Helicopter Product Line Manager

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