Thales Training & Simulation (TTS) is to compete to supply simulators for both the Russian and Chinese regional jet projects in a bid to reverse lost ground in the sub-100-seater market. TTS, which claims to have last year won half of the "open" Airbus and Boeing aircraft simulator market, says restructuring efforts in the 1990s stopped its development of Bombardier and Embraer simulators.
David-Claude Pichavet, TTS vice-president sales and marketing, says this lack of exposure to the smaller cabin segment has fuelled the company's ambition to offer simulators for both the RRJ and AVIC I's ARJ21 projects.
Thales has been selected by the Sukhoi-led RRJ development team to provide avionics and training aids, and expects to sign contracts with AVIC I this year.
Source: Flight International
