British Airways is to bring training for its new fleet of Airbus A320s in house, with the airline's Flight Training (BAFT) division finalising the acquisition of its first Airbus simulator.
In August, BA selected the A320 family for its future short-haul fleet, placing orders and options for up to 188 aircraft. Deliveries to BA's regional and Gatwick divisions will begin next September.
BA has been using the former British Caledonian (BCal) Flight Training A320 simulator at what is now the GE Capital Aviation Services training centre near London Gatwick for training requirements on its fleet of 10 ex-BCal A320s. Now, with such a huge commitment to the Airbus narrowbody, BA has had to re-examine its training arrangements. One option was to use a third party, such as Airbus' own Toulouse facilities.
"BA decided that the best option was to bring it in-house," says BAFT manager business development, Ken Best. "Negotiations are under way to acquire a simulator and ground training equipment, and these should be finalised in a few weeks," says Best, who says more simulators could be acquired.
The A320 simulator will be installed at BAFT's Cranebank centre near London Heathrow, which has been operating as a profit centre since April. Best says that locations other than Cranbank could be selected for additional Airbus simulators if acquired. Cranbank is "busy" with third party work says Best, but the fast delivery rate of the large A320 order will mean that third party training capacity will be limited on this type in the short term.
Source: Flight International
