Andrzej Jeziorski/HONG KONG
Hong Kong-based Dragonair expects to sign the first contracts with customers for its new Airbus A320 flight training centre in January.
General manager Felix Hart says the centre should become operational next June. The company is in talks with A320 operators in the Asia-Pacific region, with possible customers including Air Macau (owned by Dragonair shareholder China National Aviation), Philippine Airlines and Air Vietnam, say industry sources.
Hart says the goal is to create a "complete one-stop A320 training school" at Dragonair's $1.4 billion new headquarters, under construction at Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok Airport and due to be occupied next March. Dragonair will use about 25% of its capacity.
The school will have two simulator bays, but will initially operate one CAE Electronics A320-200 full flight simulator, offering training for aircraft with CFM International CFM56 or International Aero Engines V2500 engines. Hart says the airline is aiming for Level D approval - the highest level - from Hong Kong and UK authorities.
A Safety Training Systems cabin emergency and evacuation trainer, simulating the A320, A321 and A330, will be available from May.
Meanwhile, Dragonair has revived its ab initio training scheme, dissolved in 1989.
Source: Flight International
