Graham Warwick/WASHINGTON DC
FlightSafety International (FSI) has signed long-term training agreements with three regional airlines to build and operate regional jet simulators.
Under a 15-year deal with American Eagle, FSI will build its first simulator for the Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) Series 700. The machine will be installed in a new training centre to be constructed at Dallas/Fort Worth airport, alongside simulators for the ATR 42/72, Embraer RJ-135/145 and Saab 340.
American Eagle operates its own ATR 42, ERJ-145 and Saab 340 simulators, but the agreement enables it to use FSI to provide training whenever demand exceeds its own capacity.
FSI is to install an ERJ-145 simulator close to British Regional Airlines' Manchester, UK, hub, after signing a 15-year training agreement with the Isle of Man-based carrier. The Level D simulator will be ready for training in the first quarter of 2000, and will be the second ERJ-145/135 device in Europe. The first, at FSI's Paris Le Bourget centre, is scheduled for certification in April.
The US training company has eight simulators in service or on order for the Embraer regional jet family. It has a similar number in service or on order for the 50-seat CRJ-100/200. One of the CRJ Level D devices is to be installed at FSI's centre in Salt Lake City, Utah, by year-end to provide training for Skywest Airlines.
Source: Flight International
