Etihad orders CAE's A32o flight simulator for Dh55m

Dubai: Etihad Airways will expand pilot training facilities in Abu Dhabi following an order for a CAE 7000 Series A320 full-flight simulator.

The new simulator, manufactured by Montreal-based CAE and scheduled for delivery in February 2008, costs Dh55 million at list price and can be adapted to recreate the flight deck of any aircraft in the Airbus A320 range.

Etihad introduced its first A320 aircraft in Sep-tember 2007 and now operates three of the narrow body planes. Three more A320s will join the fleet in April 2008.

"The A320 is set to become an increasingly important aircraft in Etihad's fleet strategy and therefore it is vital that we have the best equipment and technology in place to train our pilots to the very highest standards. The simulator will be state-of-the-art in every way and because the onboard technology can be regularly upgraded, we will be able to use it for many years," Etihad chief executive James Hogan said.

Etihad currently has an CAE Airbus A330 and an A340 full-flight simulator.

The two simulators have been in operation at the airline's head office in Abu Dhabi since May 2007.

Features: Realistic experience