Montreal, Canada-headquartered HNZ Group, a multinational helicopter transportation and support group of companies, announced on Tuesday that it purchased an Airbus Helicopters AS350 B2/B3E level 7 flight training device (FTD) through an agreement with Frasca International. “Canadian Helicopters’ plan to incorporate the FTD into its program will enhance training and improve safety,” said Frasca International president John Frasca.

“Synthetic training is recognized by Transport Canada and our major customers as a highly effective tool, and this FTD represents the leading edge of technology in simulated flight. This acquisition offers us both safety and economic benefits,” said Don Wall, president and CEO of HNZ.

The AS350 FTD will include detailed graphics of Edmonton, Alberta, and several other Canadian locations where HNZ companies typically perform complicated maneuvers with their combined force of more than 60 AS350s. It will simulate three different AS350 versions: the AS350B2 analog, AS350B2 VEMD and the AS350B3e. “We plan to design swappable panels and power/controls to create effective simulations,” noted Frasca/HNZ project manager Bob Summers.