DRAGONAIR ORDERS STATE-OF-THE-ART A330/A340 SIMULATOR FOR FLIGHT TRAINING CENTRE

Dragonair has placed an order for a state-of-the-art Airbus A330/A340 full flight simulator with CAE of Canada. When delivered in June 2002 it will join an A320 full flight simulator already in use in the airline’s Flight Training Centre at Chek Lap Kok.

“We are fully committed to helping Hong Kong realise its potential as a regional centre for aviation excellence, and to investing in the skills of our pilots, and the announcement of this new order demonstrates that,” said Captain Felix Hart, Dragonair’s General Manager, Flight Training Centre.

As with Dragonair’s A320 simulator, the A330/A340 simulator will include a MAXVUE PlusTM visual system, as well as optional equipment to meet the airline’s specific training requirements.

“With our plans to double our fleet by 2005 and the projected increase in aviation traffic in this part of the world we see the growth and development of training facilities such as ours as vital in maintaining the highest standards,” Captain Hart added.

In September last year Dragonair signed an agreement with TransAsia Airways which provided the Taipei-based airline with access to its A320 simulator for training purposes.

Dragonair itself uses the facility for recruits completing their training as part of the airline’s cadet pilot programme and to ensure its pilots meet the highest standards on an ongoing basis.

In addition to the simulator, Dragonair operates a Computer Based Training system for ground subjects, Flight Management and Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitoring system trainers at its Chek Lap Kok facility. The Flight Training Centre also houses a Cabin Emergency & Evacuation Trainer (CEET) and Door Trainer which provide all safety and emergency training facilities for cabin and flight deck crews for A320, A321 and A330 aircraft types.

Dragonair is a Hong Kong-based airline, operating a fleet of five A330-300s, three A321s and six A320s in addition to the Boeing 747-200 freighter. It will almost double its fleet by the end of 2005. The airline’s passenger network covers 27 destinations across the Asia-Pacific region, while its cargo network connects the markets of Europe, the Middle East and China.