Bombardier has officially opened its second customer training centre, at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Texas. The centre is equipped with simulators for the Learjet 31A, 45 and 60, with Challenger 604 and Continental training to begin next year.
The Canadian manufacturer has placed orders with CAE for a Challenger 604 and second Learjet 60 simulator for installation at Dallas/Fort Worth next year. The centre's Continental simulator and a flight training device (FTD) have been ordered from NLX.
Bombardier already performs customer training in Montreal in alliance with CAE, which provides the building and supports the training devices. The Montreal centre houses a CAE-built Challenger 604 and Global Express simulators and FTDs. CAE is to upgrade the Global Express training device to a full flight simulator and supply a new FTD. The centre also has CRJ regional jet simulators.
The facility provides pilot and maintenance training. This year, some 150 pilots will go through initial training and 400 through recurrent training on the Challenger, plus 250 initial and 325 recurrent on the Global Express. Bombardier provides the instructors, who maintain proficiency flying company aircraft.
The Dallas/Fort Worth centre was developed in an alliance with SimuFlite Training International, which provides the building, sales staff and simulator maintenance. In addition to four Level D simulators, the centre has one flight training device for the Learjet 60 and six flight management system trainers for the Learjet 31A, 45 and 60.
Bombardier is the only business jet manufacturer to provide its own training programmes. "As the aircraft manufacturer, we offer updated courseware and proficient pilot and maintenance instructors," says Dave Orcutt, vice president customer support for Bombardier Business Aviation.
The Continental training programme is being developed in parallel with certification of the super mid-size business jet, due to begin flight testing later this year. The programme is to be in place at the Dallas/Fort Worth centre before first customer delivery next year.
Source: Flight International
