Carrier is first to pick French firm over rival CAE, with training to begin in July 2006
SIA has identified itself as launch customer for Thales' Airbus A380-800 full-flight simulator, signing a contract for one device that will be ready for pilot training at the airline's facilities near Singapore's Changi airport by July 2006.
SIA says the simulator will be manufactured with Thales' C2000X technology and have an Evans & Sutherland EP-1000CT visual system.
Thales revealed in December that a "Far Eastern airline" had committed to being the first to acquire an A380 full-flight simulator from it, but declined to identify the customer. Thales said it would enter service with an interim Level D certification.
Rival CAE was the first to secure A380-800 full-flight simulator sales, selling two devices in 2003 to Airbus. A year later, Qantas became CAE's first airline customer for the new device, ordering one for delivery in mid-2006. Also last year Emirates ordered two A380-800 simulators from CAE for delivery in mid- 2006.
SIA has 10 Rolls-Royce A380-800s on firm order with Airbus and holds options on 15 more. It will be the first airline to operate the new type when the aircraft enters service in the first half of next year. Its initial A380 pilot training will be undertaken at Airbus' facilities in Toulouse
NICHOLAS IONIDES SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
