Flight And Cabin Crew Training Initiatives

In October, BAA Training selected L3Harris to provide eight flight training devices (FTDs) for the Airbus A320, and the Boeing 737 MAX and 737NG aircraft. The FTDs will be installed at BAA’s European and Asian facilities. In March, BAA and L3 signed a deal for nine RealitySeven full-flight simulators for the A320neo, 737NG and other types.

Airbus Services launched two programs to prepare pilots to return to service. The Extended Flight Training Distance Learning Solution uses video conferencing for the initial part of the type rating training for the A320, A330 and A350, to be complemented by later training and simulator sessions in Airbus training centers. In addition, an Airbus Pilot Relaunch Program enable pilots to train and reinforce operational fundamentals after an interruption of flying activities with one day of theoretical and practical simulator training.

Lufthansa Aviation Training opened an 11,000-sq-m facility near Zurich in January 2020. The complex houses six full-flight simulators (FFS) for the Airbus A220, A320-200 and A330-300/A340-300, the Boeing B777-300ER, and the Embraer ERJ-145 and E190-E2, as well as five cabin-crew trainers.

In August, Turkish manufacturer SkyArt delivered one of its newest products, an Airbus A321neo ACF (Airbus Cabin Flex) over-wing exit trainer, to the VivaAerobus training center in Monterrey, Mexico. All normal functions and malfunction scenarios can be simulated with a state-of-the-art touchscreen control panel.

AirBaltic Training received its CAE 7000XR Airbus A220 FFS in December 2019 at its facility in Riga, Latvia. The simulator includes performance-based navigation and upset prevention and recovery training capabilities. AirBaltic has 23 A220s and expects to complete delivery of all 50 it ordered by early 2024. The carrier also has options for a further 30 of the type.

Tianjin, China-based ACCEL Flight Simulation is a relatively new player in the simulation market. The Chinese-US training company, a 50/50 joint venture between Sichuan Haite High Tech and Collins Aerospace, has established a niche market to meet China’s demand for airline pilots. ACCEL delivered its first Boeing 737NG FFS in 2017 and its first Airbus A320ceo FFS in 2019.The company also builds procedure trainers and simulator visual systems. Outside of China, ACCEL has a contract to build a Boeing 737 MAX FFS.

FlightSafety International, which built the first Embraer E190-E2 FFS, provides training for Embraer operators at 13 locations in Brazil, France, the Netherlands, South Africa, the UK and the US, using a fleet of 32 FFS and other advanced training devices.

A recent easing of travel restrictions allowed Dutch flight training device provider MPS to install its Airbus A320ceo/neo FTD-2 in the Alpha Aviation Academy (AAA) at Sharjah International Airport in the United Arab Emirates in September. The A320 FTD-2 will allow AAA to provide additional capacity for type rating and multi-crew pilot license training for pilots.

CAE announced an initiative with banks in Canada, Mexico and Spain in September to help aspiring pilots finance their ab-initio training. Successful applicants will be able to access a funding program with one of the participating banks, which have committed to offering competitive rates and expediting loan applications. CIBC and Scotiabank in Canada, Scotiabank in Mexico and CaixaBank in Spain are partners in the initiative. The Montreal-based training provider is in discussions with other financial institutions to expand the initiative to other countries.

FFS manufacturers have been preparing for an increased demand for Boeing 737 MAX full-flight simulators as the aircraft nears its return to service. TRU Simulation + Training was the first manufacturer to build a MAX FFS and says it has more than 30% of the market.

The new Lufthansa Aviation Training (LAT) facility in Zurich offers cabin emergency evacuation trainers for the Embraer E170, Airbus A220, A320 and A330/340, and the Boeing 777-300.