DARWEN workers are giving Japanese aircrew the chance to take to the skies - while keeping their feet firmly on the ground.

Brookhouse Ltd, based at India Mill, are the specialists behind an observation cabin simulator for the Raytheon U-125A, a search-and-rescue aircraft for the Japanese Air Self Defence Force.

The simulator recreates mission conditions, thanks to a computer-generated window display, and is so accurate they have even used the same carpet and paint finishes in the cabin.

Brookhouse sales manager Terry Unsworth said: "The key to success on this project was ensuring that our module would integrate flawlessly with the rest of the mission simulator in Utsunomiya.

"The other components are the cockpit simulator, instructor's control station, hydraulic power unit and computer room.

"Discussions both here and in Japan enabled us to design cable runs, console housings and access openings for maximum compatibility, and to refine non-aircraft items, such as a fold-down table for the training instructor."

One of the actual U-125A aircrafts has already saved 22 crew members of a sinking Russian vessel off the North West coast of Japan.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.