Bombardier Aerospace Inaugurates New Customer Training
Center in Dallas
DALLAS, TEXAS--APRIL 11, 2001 - 14:01 EDT
World-class facility offers training for pilots and maintenance
technicians
Bombardier Aerospace today officially inaugurated its new,
state-of-the-art and fully FAA-certified pilot and maintenance
training facility at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The
company also announced a major expansion of the facility.
"This is a very proud day in the history of Bombardier Aerospace,"
declared Dave Orcutt, vice-president and general manager, customer
support, Bombardier Aerospace, Business Aircraft, during
inauguration ceremonies held at the new center. "The opening of
this remarkable facility further demonstrates our firm commitment
to offer the best customer support in corporate aviation."
The 81,800-sq.-ft. (7,362-sq.-m.) training center provides
classroom and simulator training for Learjet(R) 31A, Learjet 45*
and Learjet 60* business jet operators - the first time Learjet
training is available directly from the manufacturer.
Separately, Bombardier has also ordered additional equipment to
start training Challenger(R) 604 and Continental* business jet
operators in 2002.
One order from CAE Electronics of St-Laurent, QC includes two
Level D full flight simulators (FFS), while a second order from
NLX Corporation of Sterling, VA includes one Level D full flight
simulator (FFS) and a Level 5 flight training device (FTD).
The CAE equipment is scheduled for delivery in the summer of 2002
and will be dedicated to the Learjet 60 and Challenger 604
business jets.
Staffed by an experienced team of Bombardier instructors,
supervisors and managers, the center will employ up to 70 people
and accommodate approximately 3,600 pilots and 400 maintenance
technicians annually at peak operation. Moreover, it is expected
to also begin offering training programs for Challenger 604 and
Continental business jet operators later next year.
Also attending the ceremony were Mike Graff, president and chief
operating officer, Bombardier Aerospace; Bill Freeman, director,
Bombardier Aerospace Training Center-Dallas/Fort Worth; Jeff
Roberts, president, SimuFlite Training International, a subsidiary
of GE; Kevin Cox, senior executive vice-president, DFW
International Airport, as well as customers, aviation industry
dignitaries, local, municipal and state officials, and employees.
"Bombardier is the only business aircraft manufacturer in the
world to directly provide it's own pilot and maintenance training
programs," noted Mr. Orcutt. "As the aircraft manufacturer, we
offer updated courseware and proficient pilot and maintenance
instructors, allowing us to train pilots and maintenance
technicians who are increasingly focused on our customers needs."
Bombardier already operates a world-class training center at
Montreal International Airport (Dorval) where it provides total
training support for operators of the Canadair Regional Jet(R)
airliner, the Challenger 604 and Global Express(R) business jet
aircraft, as well as maintenance training for the Canadair 415*
amphibious plane. It can train some 2,700 pilots and maintenance
technicians annually.
Alliance with SimuFlite
The new Bombardier Aerospace Training Center-Dallas/Fort Worth was
developed in alliance with SimuFlite Training International, a GE
company and a leading provider of advanced pilot and maintenance
training for business aircraft. Under the innovative agreement,
SimuFlite is providing the building, sales staff, and simulator
maintenance while Bombardier is responsible for providing
simulators, courseware, multimedia training materials and
experienced instructors - each type-rated in their respective
aircraft models.
"Joining forces with SimuFlite offers substantial benefits to our
customers," noted Mr. Freeman. "Our two companies' combined
training programs address over 90 per cent of the world-wide
business aviation market. Customers operating mixed fleets can
now make one phone call to schedule all their training
requirements."
The new Bombardier Aerospace Training Center-Dallas/Fort Worth is
the result of a $47 million U.S. ($74 million Cdn) investment made
by Bombardier Aerospace over the past two years to expand its
training capabilities to the United States. "With this
investment, we are now in an excellent position to meet the rising
demand among Learjet operators for flight crew and maintenance
personnel instruction," said Mr. Orcutt. "Learjet fleets are
growing rapidly around the world and operators increasingly
require immediate and convenient access to training in order to
get new aircraft into service quickly, as well as to improve
dispatch rates and reduce costs."
State-of-the-art devices
Reaching four stories (excluding basement), the Dallas/Fort Worth
facility houses 21 multimedia classrooms, 12 briefing rooms, three
flight training device rooms, a high-bay room for six simulators,
and a fully stocked Bombardier Aerospace technical library.
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Major hardware installations available at the training center
include:
* One Level 5 fixed-base training device (FTD) for the Learjet 60
aircraft;
* Four Level D full flight simulators (FFS) - one for the Learjet
31A, one for the Learjet 60 and two for the Learjet 45 business
aircraft;
* Six flight management system (FMS) training devices, two per
aircraft type, used for proficiency training in Learjet avionics
systems.
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Bombardier Aerospace instructors will train to FAA Part 61, Part
91 and Part 135 standards. Leading the way in North America,
Bombardier instructors will also have the qualifications to train
pilots to the new European JAA standard. The new Dallas-Fort
Worth training center has been awarded an international
certification as a Type Rating Training Organization (TRTO) under
JAR-OPS-1 and a Part 142 Training Center Operating Certificate
under the U.S. FAA Code of Federal Regulations Part 14, which
covers the facility, courses and instructors. The certification
process included review of the center's core curriculum by the FAA
and JAA, as well as local inspection and approval of the center's
classrooms, courseware, instructors and training devices.
Bombardier Aerospace, a unit of Bombardier Inc., is the leading
business, regional and amphibious aircraft manufacturer. With
full design and production capabilities in three countries, it
offers the most comprehensive families of turboprop and regional
jet aircraft and the widest range of business jets. It also
provides the Flexjet fractional business aircraft ownership
program, technical services, aircraft maintenance and pilot
training for business, regional airline and military customers.
Bombardier Inc., a diversified manufacturing and service company,
is a world leading manufacturer of business jets, regional
aircraft, rail transportation equipment and motorized recreational
products. It is also a provider of financial services and asset
management. The Corporation employs 58,000 people in 12 countries
in North America, Europe and Asia, and more than 90% of its
revenues are generated outside Canada. Bombardier's revenues for
its fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2001 totalled $16.1 billion.
(R) Registered trademarks of Bombardier Inc.
* Trademark of Bombardier Inc. |
