FlightSafety International and Textron subsidiary Tru Simulation and Training have formed a joint venture to provide training for the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker families of business and general aviation aircraft.
The new company, known as FlightSafety Textron Aviation Training operates 89 simulators in 16 facilities in Canada, the UK and the USA. It will provide training for 48 aircraft types, including the piston-engined Baron and Bonanza, King Air twin-engined turboprop series, and Hawker and Citation business jet families.
Textron Aviation
"Our main goal in establishing FlightSafety Textron Aviation Training is to further enhance the training and services our customers receive," says FlightSafety International co-chief executive and president, commercial David Davenport.
He adds that combining the "strengths and resources" of the two companies "will increase efficiency, promote innovation, and ensure the extension of our high-quality training programmes into new and upcoming aircraft".
These include the Longitude – scheduled for certification and service entry during the second quarter – and Hemisphere business jets, along with the Denali and Sky Courier turboprops.
The owners and operators of Textron aircraft are one of FlightSafety International's "larger customer groups", the company says. It provides training for 300 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters manufactured by Airbus Helicopters, Bombardier, Dassault, Embraer, Gulfstream, Honda Aircraft, Leonardo, Piaggio, Pilatus and Sikorsky.
Source: Flight International
