Sikorsky Training Academy Embraces Digital Tools for Black Hawk Pilots & Maintainers

The Sikorsky Training Academy (STA) is celebrating its 10-year anniversary, marking a decade of providing world-class Black Hawk training for pilots and maintainers across the globe. Since its inception in 2014, STA has trained more than 1,600 students from more than 16 countries, making significant strides in the helicopter training industry.

"When I look back from when we first started it's hard to believe what we've accomplished here," Paul Warren, STA manager, said. "The combined years of experience of our staff is the foundation of what we built here. And now that experience coupled with state-of-the-art technology continues to provide world-class training that spans the globe."

The STA initially operated at Witham Field Airport in Stuart, Florida, and quickly became known for its innovative, hands-on training approach for commercial and military customers.

In December 2022, STA relocated to its new home at the RMS West Palm Beach campus in Jupiter, Florida, where it continues to offer unparalleled training experiences. The FAA-certified airport features a 7,000-foot runway for training flight operations and emergency procedures, as well as low-level flight and landing maneuvers. The newly renovated campus includes:

• An expansive hangar with an operational S-70 Black Hawk enabling instructors to provide students with real-world hands-on maintenance experience in a training environment
  
  
• Offices, classrooms, briefing rooms, and break areas for staff and students

The operational S-70 Black Hawk allows students to learn through a real-world handson maintenance experience.

A key component of STA's success is its commitment to digital transformation. In line with 1LMX, STA replaced its paper-based curriculum with a digitally enabled classroom experience. Student-issued iPads now provide access to a wealth of knowledge, interactive and linked content, and online courses for crew members, maintainers, and avionic technicians.

"Adding digital classrooms and iPads to our already successful hands-on training approach brings our training to the next level," Paul said. "This approach is a proven success and has been echoed by our customers positive feedback." This digital transformation has not only improved knowledge transfer but also increased demand for STA's training programs. In fact, the academy is on pace to graduate more students in 2024 than in any previous year.

Crew members, maintainers, and avionic technicians have interactive and linked content at their fingertips..