Firefighter training enhanced with S-64 simulator for Korea Forest Aviation Headquarters

by Aerial FirefightingFeatured NewsTrainingWildland Fire

Simulator to support firefighter training in Korea

Entrol has announced the sale of a new S-64 Level 6 flight training device (FTD) to the Korea Forest Aviation Headquarters, according to a company press release.

The simulator is scheduled to be delivered and installed in South Korea by the end of 2026.

The S-64 FTD is designed to provide specialist firefighter training for pilots operating one of the world’s most complex firefighting helicopters.

The device includes high-resolution visuals, NVIS capabilities, and simulation systems tailored for missions involving aerial firefighting, water collection, and external cargo handling.

It will support pilot readiness for high-risk operations through increased safety, realism, and training consistency.

Details of the S-64E helicopter simulator

The simulator replicates the S-64E helicopter model and integrates Entrol’s Control Loading System and dual Garmin GTN 750 Xi avionics.

Entrol explained that the system includes a full ENWALL LED visual solution and the ENVISION system for accurate graphics and colour fidelity.

A vibration platform, post-mission Debriefing Station, and fire-specific Entrol Mission Package will also be included.

This package allows pilots to rehearse missions involving sea snorkels, firefighting with water cannons, and external loads.

Simulator designed in collaboration with Korean agent

The project was developed in cooperation with JINONE Heli-Support, Entrol’s authorised agent in South Korea.

Entrol said that the collaboration helped ensure the simulator would meet Korea Forest Aviation Headquarters’ specific environmental and operational needs.

JINONE will continue to work with Entrol to support local communications and deployment activities.

The company added that local insights contributed to tailoring the technology for Korea’s unique geography and fire conditions.

Enhancing helicopter training for public emergency operations

The Korea Forest Aviation Headquarters operates 50 helicopters from 12 bases across the country.

According to the agency, the fleet supports firefighting, search and rescue, and forest disaster response operations.

Established in 1971, Korea Forest Aviation Headquarters is part of the Korea Forest Service.

The new simulator is intended to increase preparedness for wildfire and forestry missions.

Entrol describes simulator as technically advanced

Entrol Business Manager Iñigo Hernández said: “The S-64 FTD Level 6 simulator for the Korea Aviation Headquarters is one of our most complex and challenging projects.

“Replicating such a specialised helicopter is a technical feat and a clear demonstration of our ability to develop tailored solutions.

“This unit will be the second existing S-64 FTD available worldwide, strengthens our leadership in high-fidelity simulation for critical missions, especially in firefighting.”

Hernández added: “Working with JINONE has been essential to understanding and adapting the simulator to the specific Korean environment and operational needs of our client.

“We are confident this simulator will elevate pilot training and safety in highly sensitive missions such as firefighting.”

Firefighter training enhanced with S-64 simulator for Korea Forest Aviation Headquarters: Summary

Entrol has announced the sale of an S-64E Level 6 simulator to the Korea Forest Aviation Headquarters.

The simulator will be delivered and installed by the end of 2026.

It is designed for aircraft-specific firefighter training.

The simulator includes a full visual system, NVIS capabilities, and a vibration platform.

It also features Entrol’s fire mission modules and post-mission analysis station.

The Korea Forest Aviation Headquarters operates 50 helicopters across 12 bases.

The agency conducts wildfire suppression, rescue, and forest disaster response operations.

The simulator was developed in collaboration with JINONE Heli-Support.

JINONE contributed to adapting the system to Korean operational requirements.

This will be the second S-64 simulator of its kind worldwide.

ThoroughTec exhbits hi-fidelty ARFF at INTERSCHUTZ

by Featured NewsProducts

ThoroughTec Simulation, a leader in heavy equipment simulators and workforce performance optimisation solutions, is demonstrating its new, hi-fidelity CYBERDRIVE ARFF Operator Training Simulator at INTERSCHUTZ this week.

Firefighters that visit hall 12, stand B35 will be able to test drive the simulator, under a wide range of conditions, fighting fires on various aircraft types, from helicopters to multi-engine passenger jets.

Visitors will be able to and experience how, at the click of a button, instructors enjoy complete control over simulated incidents, controlling everything from the weather and time of day to location and difficulty of the scenario.

The simulators exercises are designed to be real and challenging that even the most experienced firefighters will be challenged.

ThoroughTec’s product provides the ability to train in the application of various extinguishing agents, many of which are now prohibited for use in training. In the simulator, ARFF crews face no restrictions perfecting application techniques without safety or environmental concerns and critically, without any of the associated wear-and-tear costs on your prime mission equipment.

CYBERDRIVE hi-fidelity full-mission simulators incorporate a 6 Degree-of-Freedom, military-grade motion platform; panoramic, 270° high-definition projected displays; a full replicated vehicle cabin including all OEM instruments and controls.

A dual-screen instructor station and intuitive software training tools allow instructors to create highly customisable exercises, monitor operator performance in real time and automatically record the sessions for post-mission debriefing.

Being able to review the vehicle’s sub-systems, situation parameters and view a ‘live’ 3D After-Action Review (AAR) of events can be crucial to help operators understand where mistakes were made and how they might be remedied.

Swiss Air Force teams up with Rosenbauer for aircraft firefighting training

by AviationFeatured NewsIndustry SectorsProjects

The Swiss Air Force has teamed up with fire service vehicle and equipment manufacturer Rosenbauer to implement its PANTHER training system to enable training for the tactical handling of ARFF vehicles as well as handling the extinguishing and control panels.

The PANTHER training system will be installed in the fire training center of CFR Campus PHÈNIX at Payerne Airport.

The simulator landscape consists of two PANTHER tactical simulators – 8×8 and 6×6 S, as well as two simulators that can be configured bot as ARFF vehicles and command or logistics vehicles.

The two PANTHER simulators are equipped with identical PANTHER cockpits, while the other two have generic cockpits on which all functions can be operated the same way as in the respective original vehicle.

Everything that happens outside the vehicles is displayed on large LED screens in Ultra-HD (4 times HDTV) resolution. Each screen is controlled by its own computer; a total of 18 computers with powerful graphics cards are installed in the training system.

The system also includes a control panel on which the virtual training sessions are planned, programmed, and documented. There are five airport layouts and numerous aircraft types to choose from, the time of day or night, and the weather and runway conditions can be modified in order to make the operational action as realistic as possible.

All firefighting operations from leaking jet fuel to an undercarriage catching fire or burning jet engines can be trained on, whereby the control of the firefighting equipment is just as sensitive as in the real-life counterparts.

“The Swiss Air Force is building a competence center for aircraft firefighting here, where the members of the aircraft incident squads will receive their complete training in future and be able to complete regular drills under real conditions,” saod Hans Schmid, Head of Crash and Fire Rescue Swiss Air Force.

“In the future, each and every member will train on the simulators for at least two days a year. Their integration into an overall system allows us to systematically and efficiently structure the training. In addition, three liquid gas-fired fire simulators (dummy aircraft) are available for “hot” drills on the approximately 26,000 m2 site.”

Markus Zellinger, Managing Director of Rosenbauer Switzerland added: “The Swiss Air Force’s aircraft incident squads can train for every operational scenario imaginable in a resource-saving, safe, and controlled manner. That’s the great advantage of simulator training.”