Graham Warwick/WASHINGTON DC
Lockheed Martin's new Commercial Flight Training Centre is considering entering the regional jet training market as it awaits delivery of its first new-build simulator.
The Orlando, Florida-based centre became operational in March with two used simulators - an Airbus A320 and a Boeing 737 machine. Both manufactured by Thomson Training & Simulation (TTS), they have received Level C certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration. In addition, a Next Generation 737 simulator is on order from TTS for delivery in July, ready for training in October.
The centre is already providing training time for North and South American airlines, says programme manager Ed Slomka. The facility has space for seven simulators and, while specialising in single-aisle airliners, "we may talk to a regional-jet manufacturer", he says.
With demand for regional pilots increasing, Fairchild Dornier has authorised Lufthansa to provide training on the 728JET. Launch customer Lufthansa CityLine, its CityLine Simulation and Training centre and Lufthansa's flight and technical training subsidiaries plan to have a system operational at least three months before the 728JET enters service in mid-2003.
Fairchild Dornier, which has named US-based FlightSafety International (FSI) as its preferred supplier of 728JET training, says it will offer customers the option of training at Lufthansa in Germany.
FSI, meanwhile, is to install an Embraer ERJ-145 regional jet simulator at French airline Brit Air's Icare training centre in Morlaix, France. The FSI-built Level D machine is required by Brit Air for a 10-year contract signed with Air France, its affiliate, to provide training for the latter's regional airline subsidiaries. The Icare centre already houses FSI-built ATR 72/72 and Bombardier CRJ100-/200 simulators.
The US training company FSI also plans to install a Raytheon Beech 1900D simulator in Europe, one of two ordered into production at its FlightSafety Simulation division and scheduled for delivery in the first half of next year. The Level D simulators will be FSI's fifth and sixth for the 1900D.
Simulator manufacturer CAE plans to install anERJ-145 simulator in its Sïo Paulo flight training centre, which will open on 19 April with Brazilian carriers TAM and Varig as its anchor customers. The centre will eventually house six simulators for the Airbus A320, A330/A340, Boeing 737 and MD-11 and ERJ-145.Source: Flight International
