Staff moved into FlightSafety International’s new flagship facility at Farnborough Airport on April 1. The first clients are due to arrive at the end of May to use the first simulator, a Beech 1900D model, which will be fully modified for European requirements. This will be followed by Citation Bravo, Excel, CJ2, Saab 340, King Air 200, Hawker 800XP and Gulfstream IV simulators, and the centre will be fully operational by the autumn of this year.

More simulators will be added during 2006 and there is provision to add two helicopter models. The centre will employ some 120 instructors and centre marketing manager Anthony van der Geest estimates that 200 pilots a day

will be using the centre’s range of facilities by 2007.

Serving a European and Middle East catchment area, FlightSafety says that availability of pilot training in Europe will save companies a lot of time and man hours. NetJets estimates that the Farnborough facility will save them three days per pilot training segment (and they have about 400 pilots who could use the Farnborough centre.)

Although at first glance the centre has design similarities to other FlightSafety locations, such as Le Bourget, Van der Geest told EBAN that they are obliged to use local contractors and suppliers. He feels that the centre will make a considerable impact on the local economy, both in direct employment and also the use of local

service providers.

FlightSafety is confident that the centre will be particularly popular during the Farnborough Air Show, as the lounge areas have enviable views of the flight line.