United Airlines has installed its fourth Boeing 777 full-flight simulator, as part of a $200 million expansion of its Denver, Colorado, training centre.
All four simulators have been produced by Thomson Training &Simulation (TTS). The latest machine, and a fourth TTS-built Airbus A320 simulator to be installed in March next year, will be operated under an innovative revenue-sharing agreement: United and TTS will share the revenue from the sale of training hours on the two Level D simulators.
To maximise contract training potential, the 777-200 simulator is available with five engine interchanges: the General Electric GE90A and B; Pratt & Whitney PW4082A and B; and Rolls-Royce Trent 890B. The A320 simulator will be available with the CFM International CFM56 and International Aero Engines V2500.
With installation of the A320 machine next March, United's training centre will have a total of 36 full-flight simulators.
The airline is considering a further expansion of its simulator fleet, and is looking at a location in Miami, Florida, as well as the Denver site.
Source: Flight International
