Publication:Sea Talk Winter 2008/V8 super sim helicopters at Clipsal 500
By CMDR Greg Tindall
Top V8 supercar driver James Courtney and up-and-comer Shane Van Gisbergen are familiar with reaching speeds of 300 km in 600 horsepower, 1300 kg V8 supercars.
But how would they perform piloting a naval helicopter?
The question was partly answered at the most recent Clipsal 500 in Adelaide when the drivers took a break from their busy schedule to fly the innovative naval helicopter simulators titled Flight Sim Trainer – Generic (FST-G).
Both drivers were seated in the cockpit, given a snappy lesson on flying a naval helicopter, and then unleashed to experience helicopter flight, albeit simulated.
James and Shane both demonstrated a high level of hand-eye coordination as would be expected from elite racing car drivers.
Unfortunately, their busy schedule, prevented their Navy hosts from escorting them to the nearby Defence Force Recruiting tent to sign them up as future navy pilots.
A small team from HMAS Albatross embarked upon the journey to Adelaide in the dedicated Fly Navy van, trailer and FST-G emulators, to promote career opportunities in the RAN, with an emphasis on naval aviation including aircrew, aeronautical engineer and aircraft technician career paths.
More than 1300 prospective recruits utilised the FST-G emulators during the four- day period with the two FST-G emulators maintaining 100 per cent serviceability. Given that portable generators were required to power the emulators in hot and dusty conditions, this was a remarkable achievement.
LCDR Robinson was upbeat about the effectiveness of supporting Clipsal 500 with the emulators.
“The majority of those flying the emulators were young children with their parents/guardians proudly watching their siblings, and occasionally chipping in with a bit of backseat banter,” he said. “My team was able to answer questions regarding career options, and then direct them to DFR. The emulators were well suited to the high-octane excitement of the race.
“While the V8 supercar drivers pilot their machines across the tarmac, the sky is the limit for aviation careers in the RAN.”
