France-based Simaero to establish full flight simulators in Gurugram

France-based aviation training leader Simaero has finalized an agreement to set up its inaugural A320 NEO full-flight simulator at its forthcoming training center in Delhi NCR including ATR 72-600 and Boeing 737.

Simaero invests $100 million

The simulator, designed by Turkish tech firm Havelsan, is expected to be operational by the second quarter of 2025 and is part of Simaero’s $100 million investment aimed at enhancing India’s aviation training landscape.

Scheduled to launch in early 2025, Simaero’s Delhi NCR facility will boast a fleet of eight full-flight simulators, with the A320 NEO being the first in this lineup. In line with its goal to elevate pilot training and address the increasing demand for qualified personnel, Simaero’s new center will act as a training hub for pilots throughout India and South Asia.

The signing ceremony held in New Delhi included dignitaries from France, Turkey, and India, highlighting the spirit of international cooperation. The initiative is strategically aligned with the growth of India’s aviation sector, as experts anticipate a requirement for around 1,770 single-aisle aircraft, including the A320 NEO, in the next 20 years.

The A320 NEO full-flight simulator alone can offer nearly 6,000 hours of flight training each year, serving as a vital asset for the nation’s rapidly expanding aviation industry.

Simaero’s General Manager for India, Khushbeg Jattana, underscored the significance of this facility: “India’s aviation industry is witnessing unparalleled growth, driven by enhanced regional connectivity and record-breaking orders for single-aisle aircraft, such as the Airbus A320 family.

Collaborating with Havelsan to introduce the A320 NEO simulator is a crucial step in fulfilling the demand for pilot training. Our Delhi center will provide cost-effective training solutions, minimizing the need for airlines to send pilots overseas—a financially burdensome alternative.”

Havelsan’s CEO, Dr. Mehmet Akif Nacar, shared this perspective, stating, “We are excited to equip Simaero with our cutting-edge A320 NEO full-flight simulator.

This partnership showcases the global acknowledgment of Havelsan’s high-quality and safety-oriented simulation technology, and we are eager to support Simaero’s premier training initiatives.”

Simaero’s dedication to training excellence mirrors India’s requirement for skilled aviation professionals and positions the company at the leading edge of technology-driven, sustainable pilot education in South Asia.

Discussing the present pilot training institutions in India, Mehmet Akif Nacar, the CEO and president of Turkish simulator manufacturer Havelsan, asserted that a significant number of pilots for Indian domestic airlines are currently being trained overseas. “Given the increasing demand for pilots in the years ahead, the nation must consider strategies to establish FTOs (Flying Training Organisations) and ATOs (Approved Training Organisations) domestically,” Nacar remarked.

Unveiling the current and prospective expansion strategies in India, Khushbeg Jattana, general manager of Simaero India, indicated that the training facility in Delhi will ultimately accommodate eight full-flight simulators for narrow-body aircraft, including the A320 neo, ATR 72-600, and Boeing 737. “Moreover, the company intends to introduce a simulator for wide-body aircraft by 2026 or 2027,” Jattana noted.

India has the potential to become a pilot training center: Boeing

According to Boeing India president Salil Gupte, a significant increase in investment for the installation of flight simulators, along with a quicker adoption of competency-based training curricula, could position India as a regional hub for pilot training.

Currently, both the Centre and the industry have acknowledged the future requirements for pilots, particularly after domestic airlines began placing substantial orders for aircraft. Gupte mentioned that the aerospace giant has committed to investing $100 million in infrastructure and programs addressing the demand for training facilities in India. This initiative aligns with the company's projection that India will need 31,000 new pilots over the next two decades.

Airbus to assist in pilot and maintenance crew training in India in partnership with Air India and GMR

In line with its commitment to ‘Skill India’, Airbus has formed a 50:50 joint venture with Tata-owned Air India to establish a premier pilot training center in Gurugram, Haryana.

The Tata Airbus Training Centre will provide A320 and A350 flight training for approximately 5,000 new pilots over a decade. The expansive 3,300 sq.mt. center will feature 10 Full Flight Simulators (FFS), flight training classrooms, and briefing and debriefing rooms as part of a comprehensive Airbus Flight Training Device installation. This transaction is contingent upon customer closing conditions.

The training center is expected to commence operations in early 2025 with the initial setup of four A320 FFS. The Tata Airbus Training Centre will provide courses accredited by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Additionally, Airbus is partnering with Vadodara-based Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, to cultivate talent for the Indian aerospace industry.

For all aviation-related guidance (DGCA ground classes, pilot training, cabin crew training)

Contact us https://contrail.in/

phone numbers +91 78457 69399