SWISS REGIONAL airline Crossair has joined the growing list of airlines offering simulator- training time to the general public.
The airline says that it is experiencing very strong demand from people wishing to fly either its Saab 340B or Saab 2000 full- flight simulators at between SFr500 ($417) and SFr700 an hour. The fee charged for professional use, is SFr800-1,000. Delta Airlines and Lufthansa are among the airlines believed to be offering similar opportunities.
"We're having real difficulty achieving 100% utilisation of our full-flight simulators", says Crossair's vice-president for training, Paul Kurrus. Only about 5,000h of the 7,300h total time available is being taken, he says. Selling the extra time at a reduced fee "...creates extra revenues at the last minute, which we otherwise would not receive".
Source: Flight International
