Bell Helicopter and Tru Simulation + Training have received EASA certifications for the Bell Helicopter Training Academy in Valencia, Spain, and the Bell 429 full flight simulator, Bell said. These certifications mark the training facility’s completion.

The Valencia training academy was originally expected to open in the first quarter of 2016. It is now fully operational, with regularly scheduled classes to begin this month. The facility offers EASA initial type rating and recurrent courses, and regular factory initial and refresher training. The option for wet and dry lease contracts to Bell’s customer base is also available. It is Bell’s first training facility outside of the U.S. and instructors may teach in English, French, Spanish and Italian languages. Each instructor has more than 5,000 hours of helicopter experience.

Since the initial idea in 2014, the Bell 429 was to be its first training platform. The Level D Bell 429 initial type-rating course has been EASA-certified. The simulator, built on Tru’s Odyssey H platform, features a 10-projector, 41-megapixel out-the-window visual system, developed by Tru and RSI. An 11th projector provides extended field of view specifically for the chin window. The simulator can be reconfigured for other helicopters with its roll-on/roll-off capability.