Project: Training Off Shore

The sea is a source of traditional energy (oil and gas platforms) and of most of the “green” energy to be produced in the near future. The number of wind turbines installed in European seas is increasing by 30% every year and will probably reach 10 000 in 2015. Most of the new sea activities are performed by helicopter hoisting interventions for installation and COtenance. For instance in Denmark, 5 200 hoisting operations were performed in 2012 on 420 wind turbines. _x000D__x000D_Performing helicopter borne missions is not easy and helicopter crews must be thoroughly trained to perform the missions as defined, and also to be able to react to unpredicted conditions and to take reflex-like decisions under emergency situations. Helicopter crew training and qualification is an important issue addressing an already large market worldwide to-day and a lot larger market in the near future. _x000D__x000D_State-of-the-art personnel training in Europe consists in using real equipment, which is very costly and not always efficient, partly because some sensitive situations cannot be considered. Project TOFF aims to find a solution that meets training needs of helicopter crews operating offshore in a much cheaper and more efficient way._x000D__x000D_A 100% simulation solution is not suitable because it cannot provide the “reality feeling” which is a key aspect in efficient training/qualification. Therefore, the idea of a novel approach to training making use of supports based on a balanced mix between real equipment and simulated conditions is proposed. This innovative concept was used by TOFF coordinator VSM with its ESTHEL simulator which is unique of its kind to-day. _x000D__x000D_The underlying idea of the TOFF project is to develop mix reality-simulation capabilities suited to offshore missions. A difficulty however is that offshore mission training is more complex due to additional disturbing elements brought by e.g. sea condition or a large blade rotating in the vicinity of the helicopter. The CO issue comes from the way offshore turbulence can be taken into account in helicopter response because this turbulence interacts with the behaviour of the load attached to the hoist (swaying and rotating), which in turn has an impact on the helicopter centre of gravity. This may lead to aircraft instability and possibly to crash. This is why this issue should be thoroughly understood and realistically represented. Pictures shown in ANNEX give an idea of possible situations._x000D__x000D_In order to be as close as possible to “real life”, the research approach in TOFF is operators-driven. It relies on operators’ needs, requirements and procedures at the beginning of the project and then on continuous operators’ assessment along project. _x000D__x000D_The CO scientific and technical objectives to be achieved during the project time frame are:_x000D_- To define reference missions/scenarios/procedures based on needs and requirements of the offshore market and on practices in Europe;_x000D_- To develop and validate models and implementation software for providing simulation capabilities related to configurable turbulence, wind blast and sea state;_x000D_- To develop and validate a new helicopter simulation model taking aerodynamic turbulence into account; _x000D_- To develop simulation capability for special effects such as real-time particle projections according to helicopter position, weather and sea conditions;_x000D_- To integrate the developed novel features into a training simulator and test proper functioning;_x000D_- To assess simulation realistic capabilities through the performance of suitable demonstration scenarios;_x000D_- To develop training programmes and packages for reference missions/scenarios to be used in commercial post-project activities; _x000D_- To develop plans for the exploitation of project results._x000D_These will be achieved by a consortium made of four complementary Ps. _x000D_- VSM (Project Coordinator) is a French SME specialised in simulation since 25 years. _x000D_- 6MOUV is a French SME specialised in simulation, specifically well-known for the quality of its realistic flight models;_x000D_- HELIOS is a Dutch start-up SME whose owners have been operating on aircrafts for many years. _x000D_- NLR is the Netherlands National Research Centre in Aeronautics. _x000D__x000D_Expected project results are:_x000D_- Models and software for added simulation capability (turbulence, sea state, helicopter reaction to turbulence);_x000D_- Software for simulator special effects features;_x000D_- Novel training simulator environment with extended offshore related capabilities compared to existing simulators;_x000D_- Training packages for reference scenarios and procedures;_x000D_- Results exploitation plans for getting business benefits from the innovative elements developed in the project._x000D__x000D_These will be used by the Ps in commercial applications to be started right after the project end with anticipated attractive return of investment. Exploitation will be through service (training delivery) and product (simulator/simulation centre) selling._x000D_

Acronym	TOFF (Reference Number: 8211)
Duration	01/10/2013 - 31/03/2016
Project Topic	The project addresses crew training for helicopter borne hoisting offshore missions. An innovative approach combining virtual support and real equipment use is proposed. Technical solutions compliant with operators’ needs and requirements, including realistic simulation, will be developed.
Network	Eurostars
Call	Eurostars Cut-Off 10

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
4	6MOUV	Partner	France
4	Helios Aero Group Holding BV	Partner	Netherlands
4	Stichting Nationaal Lucht- en Ruimtevaartlaboratorium	Partner	Netherlands
4	VSM sa	Coordinator	France