The FAA has approved FlightSafety International’s new Gulfstream G600 and G700 convertible Level D Full-Flight Simulator, establishing the first dual-configuration training device for the aircraft types in the United States.

Announced in a company press release on October 1, 2026, the approval allows the training provider to serve operators of both the Gulfstream GVII and GVIII platforms from a single device at its Long Beach, California, facility. The certification addresses a growing domestic requirement for pilot training capacity as the G700 fleet expands.

Expanding domestic training capacity

The new simulator was engineered and manufactured at FlightSafety International’s facility in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, before installation at the Long Beach Learning Center. The convertible design allows the device to switch between G600 and G700 configurations, optimizing scheduling for type-rated pilots.

Ben Carter, Executive Vice President of Learning Center Operations at FlightSafety International, stated that the new convertible simulator reflects the company’s commitment to providing innovative training solutions.

“By enabling multiple aircraft configurations within a single device, we are helping customers optimize training access while maintaining the highest standards of fidelity and safety,” Carter said.

The Long Beach approval follows a similar certification in Asia. In August 2026, the FAA certified the company’s other G600 and G700 convertible device in Singapore for G600 training, which currently serves regional operators.

Technical specifications and capabilities

The Long Beach device is certified as a Level D Full-Flight Simulator, the highest level of flight simulator qualification, requiring a comprehensive aerodynamic model and a full motion platform.

The simulator is equipped with the company’s proprietary VITAL 1150 image generator and a 42-inch electric motion base. The system supports advanced training requirements, specifically including steep approach operations for the G600.

Gulfstream fleet expansion and training demand

The introduction of the convertible simulator aligns with the operational growth of Gulfstream’s ultra-long-range business jet portfolio. The G600 entered service in August 2019, establishing a mature operator base requiring recurrent training.

Demand for G700 training is currently accelerating following the aircraft’s recent entry into service. The FAA granted type certification for the G700 on March 29, 2024, and Gulfstream commenced customer deliveries on April 23, 2024.

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FlightSafety International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway since 1996, is marking its 75th anniversary in 2026. The company provides training to aviation professionals from more than 170 countries and operates one of the largest global fleets of advanced flight simulators.

AirPro News analysis

We view the deployment of convertible simulators as a necessary capital efficiency strategy for training providers managing the transition between aircraft generations. Because the G700 fleet is still in its early delivery phase, a dedicated G700 simulator might experience lower utilization rates in the near term. By combining GVII and GVIII configurations into a single Level D device, FlightSafety International can maintain high utilization through the established G600 market while simultaneously absorbing the growing wave of initial type-rating demand for the G700.

Airbus Helicopters has integrated the civil-certified Airbus H160 into the flight test training fleet at the École du Personnel Navigant d’Essais et de Réception (EPNER) in Istres, France, modernizing the French Defence Procurement Agency’s training capabilities ahead of the military H160M Guépard’s introduction.

Announced by Airbus on October 5, 2026, the delivery transforms the medium twin-engine helicopter into a dedicated flying classroom. The platform replaces legacy aircraft that have served the school since the 1980s, providing test pilots and flight test engineers with a modern avionics suite to prepare for the next generation of French military rotorcraft.

Modernizing flight test training

EPNER, operating under the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA), trains test pilots, flight test engineers, mechanics, and air traffic controllers. The curriculum is rigorous, requiring trainees to complete 400 hours of theoretical instruction and over 100 hours of flight testing. To meet these demands, Airbus Helicopters and the DGA collaborated to install a dedicated flight test system on the Airbus H160, enabling real-time data monitoring and system evaluation during training flights.

Patrice, Deputy Director of EPNER, noted the technological leap the new aircraft provides for the institution’s curriculum.

“The H160 is gradually integrated into the programme for new trainees. As it’s brand new, it benefits from an array of new technologies. This enables the school to remain at the forefront of training, using all of the helicopter’s new faculties to test performance, flight qualities and onboard systems,” Patrice said.

The upgrade in cockpit technology is a primary driver for the acquisition. Thomas, a Flight Test Maintenance Technician at EPNER, highlighted the specific benefits of the modernized flight deck. “There is a real evolution in avionics with the H160, which opens an enlarged panel of training capabilities to EPNER,” he stated.

Transitioning from legacy platforms

The introduction of the Airbus H160 marks a generational shift for the Istres-based school. According to reporting by The Defence Blog, the Airbus H160 replaces the Dauphin SA 365 N, a legacy platform that EPNER has utilized since the mid-1980s. The transition to a modern architecture is critical for teaching contemporary certification standards and flight test methodologies.

Gwénaël, a Helicopter Experimental Test Pilot at the DGA, emphasized the core mission of the school’s graduates and the necessity of training on current-generation equipment.

“A flight test pilot is firstly a pilot. The main difference is that they fly on modified aircraft or brand new aircraft to certify conformity to regulatory or contractual requirements,” Gwénaël explained.

Paving the way for the H160M Guépard

The civil Airbus H160’s arrival at EPNER serves as a direct preparatory step for the French Armed Forces’ Joint Light Helicopter (HIL) programme. In December 2021, France officially ordered the militarized variant, designated the Airbus H160M Guépard. The French Ministry of Armed Forces plans to acquire 169 of the helicopters to replace five different legacy types currently operating across the French Army, Navy, and Air and Space Force.

Airbus launched the flight test campaign for the Airbus H160M Guépard on July 24, 2025. By training on the civil Airbus H160 now, DGA and military test crews will be fully qualified on the platform’s baseline systems before the Guépard enters service. The military variant is expected to begin replacing older helicopters in 2027 and 2028, following the conclusion of its dedicated certification campaign.

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The Airbus H160 platform has also been expanding its footprint in French public service. In December 2025, Airbus delivered the first Airbus H160 configured for the French Gendarmerie Nationale, further standardizing the domestic fleet around the new medium twin-engine design.

AirPro News analysis

We view the integration of the civil Airbus H160 into EPNER’s fleet as a pragmatic risk-reduction strategy for the broader HIL programme. By familiarizing test crews and maintenance personnel with the Airbus H160’s baseline architecture years before the Airbus H160M Guépard reaches operational units, the DGA minimizes the training burden typically associated with fielding a new aircraft type. The concurrent deployment of the Airbus H160 to the Gendarmerie Nationale and EPNER demonstrates a concerted effort by the French government to consolidate its domestic rotorcraft operations around a single, modern Airbus platform, which will likely yield long-term maintenance and training efficiencies across multiple state agencies.

Leonardo officially opened a new 6,000-square-metre building dedicated to the development and manufacture of Helicopters flight simulators in Sesto Calende, Italy, on October 5, 2026. The facility expansion consolidates the site as a central development and production hub for simulation systems across the company’s rotary-wing business.

In a press release issued to mark the opening, Leonardo highlighted the financial weight of its Customer Support, Services & Training segment. Between 2023 and 2025, this division accounted for an average of 42 percent of total revenues for Leonardo Helicopters, underscoring the strategic importance of aftermarket and synthetic training solutions.

Expanding simulation capabilities

The newly inaugurated building provides the physical space required to design, assemble, and test complex synthetic training devices. According to Leonardo, the facility can accommodate up to five full-flight simulators at a single time. The first simulators manufactured in the new building are slated for delivery to helicopter operators based in Italy and Asia-Pacific, supporting both domestic and international training requirements.

Simulator design and manufacturing represent established core competencies at the Sesto Calende site. Leonardo has previously developed specialized training systems for military operators, tailoring simulators to specific mission profiles. These include the A129 Mangusta simulator for Italian Army Aviation in Viterbo, the HH139 simulator for the Italian Air Force in Cervia, and the NH90 simulator located at the Italian Navy’s Maristaeli Luni simulation centre. The expanded footprint allows the manufacturer to increase its independent development capabilities while continuing to support established partnerships across the defense and civil sectors.

Sesto Calende’s century of aviation history

The Sesto Calende site serves as the main headquarters for customer support within the Leonardo Helicopter Division. The location possesses an aviation heritage dating back to 1915, anchoring the company’s long-term industrial presence in the region. In 2006, Leonardo opened the “A. Marchetti” Training Academy at the site, establishing its first dedicated helicopter training academy to centralize pilot and maintenance instruction.

The facility also hosts RotorSim, a joint venture established with CAE that provides synthetic training solutions for rotary-wing operators. To support the growing demand for training and simulation, Leonardo has steadily increased its workforce at the location. Employee headcount at the Sesto Calende facility stood at approximately 470 in 2022. By 2025, that number had grown by 30 percent to reach over 610 personnel. Across all of its global helicopter training activities, Leonardo reports that it trains 16,000 people annually, a volume that requires continuous investment in physical infrastructure and simulation technology.

The financial weight of training and support

Training and support services represent highly lucrative segments for aerospace original equipment manufacturers. By expanding its physical infrastructure for simulator production, Leonardo is positioning itself to capture a larger share of the aftermarket revenue generated by its global helicopter fleet. The 42 percent revenue share generated by the Customer Support, Services & Training segment between 2023 and 2025 highlights the financial stability provided by long-term service contracts and recurrent training mandates.

The demand for Leonardo’s rotary-wing products remains active in the broader market, ensuring a steady pipeline of operators requiring simulation services. In early October 2026, GD Helicopter Finance secured a EUR 125 million facility to finance new Airbus and Leonardo helicopter deliveries. The continued influx of new airframes into the commercial and parapublic markets directly drives the requirement for initial type ratings and recurrent simulator training, reinforcing the business case for the Sesto Calende expansion.

AirPro News analysis

We view the Sesto Calende expansion as a clear indicator of where aerospace manufacturers are finding reliable margins. With Customer Support, Services & Training generating 42 percent of Leonardo’s helicopter revenues, the division is no longer just a supporting function for airframe sales. By bringing more simulator development and manufacturing in-house, Leonardo reduces its reliance on third-party simulation providers and captures the full lifecycle value of its aircraft platforms. This vertical integration strategy ensures that as the global fleet grows, the high-margin training revenue flows directly back to the original equipment manufacturer.

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