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Pittsburgh
Business Times
February 14-20, 2003
By Lynne Glover
WEST MIFFLIN — The fast-track production of a new helicopter simulator is
expected to put STAT MedEvac pilots behind its controls before April. The
emergency medical transport company signed a contract in December with North Side-based
Fidelity Flight Simulation Inc. to build a full-motion simulator. Since Dec. 2,
Fidelity's nine-person team has endured a "maddening" period completing the cockpit
systems, according to Mark Limbach, company spokesman.
Although not completely ready for delivery, Fidelity's first helicopter simulator
made its national debut this week in Dallas, at HELI-EXPO, a helicopter trade
show sponsored by the Helicopter Association International.
"We'll be working over the next 45 days to get it finished to STAT MedEvac's satisfaction,"
said Graham Hodgetts, president of Fidelity Flight, who spoke via cell phone from
the trade show floor. "It seems like the helicopter
market is more healthy than the fixed-wing market," Mr. Hodgetts added, referring
to the airplane simulation industry. Interest in Fidelity's helicopter simulator
has been "phenomenal" at the trade show, according to Mr. Hodgetts. "And we have
an invitation to present at the Italian Helicopter Pilots Union next month." Fidelity
has sold more than a dozen airplane simulators to date. The company expects to
be "marginally profitable" in 2002, its second year of operation. Its foray into
the helicopter simulation business came about after being asked last June by STAT
MedEvac to demonstrate a helicopter simulation prototype suitable for its training
needs. STAT MedEvac, which has 20 aircraft in its fleet and 68 pilots under contract,
paid $42,000 for initial development. All told,
STAT MedEvac will have invested about $350,000 into the simulator that -- when
finished--will be owned by Fidelity but located on STAT MedEvac's base at the
Allegheny County Airport in West Mifflin, according to Jim Bothwell, STAT MedEvac's
chief operating officer. Mr. Bothwell said the
simulator will be available to other parties, but that STAT MedEvac will have
first access because "we funded the upfront development." The
"market value" of the simulator is $790,000, according to Mr. Hodgetts. This
week's trade show reinforced how important the helicopter simulator will be to
Fidelity's future, said Mr. Limbach. "There are so few alternatives for rotorcraft
simulation in the United States, and the need is so great." He said future sales
are "going to be very significant for us." Mr.
Bothwell estimates that STAT MedEvac will save up to $500,000 a year on pilot
training costs. In the past, it has had to send pilots to Florida and Texas for
simulator training. Actual flight training can cost between $600 and $1000 per
flight hour, Mr. Bothwell noted. Ms. Glover may
be contacted at lglover@bizjournals.com.
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