Graham Warwick/WASHINGTON DC
Thomson Training & Simulation (TTS) has outlined plans to expand its Orbit Flight Training simulator operating subsidiary.
TTS-built Airbus A320 and A340 full-flight simulators have entered service with Orbit at a centre near London Gatwick Airport. The company will also offer A310 training from December at its East Midlands Airport training centre and a new, eight-bay simulator centre will open at London Heathrow Airport early in 1999.
Orbit is also planning to expand its network of partnerships early in 1999, by offering A320 training in Mexico in association with local airline Mexicana. The company already offers Boeing 737 training in Germany, in partnership with simulator centre RWL, offers A320 and 777 training with United Airlines in the USA and ATR 42/72 training in Thailand with ATR and Thai Airways International. AnA320 simulator will be installed in Asia in mid-1999, says TTS.
TTS has begun installation of a new PC-based instructor operating system as part of simulator updates. The system overcomes obsolescence and year 2000 issues, says TTS, and has been installed on a China Airlines' 747-200 simulator. Systems have been ordered byAer Lingus, for a 737 simulator, by Air New Zealand, for 747, 757 and 767 machines and by Cathay Pacific for two 747 simulators. Two other orders have yet to be announced.
Source: Flight International
