First Airbus simulator supporting A320neo training in China

The first A320 full-flight simulator upgradable to support the flight training of A320neo was put into operation today at the Hua Ou Aviation Training Centre in Beijing, a joint venture between Airbus China and China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CAS). Captain Hu Zhenjiang, deputy director general of Flight Standard Department of Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) presented the qualification certificate of the A320 full flight simulator (S35) and the approval certificate for CCAR “Quality Assurance System” to Raymond Lim, general manager of Hua Ou Aviation Training Centre during a ceremony held at the centre with over 100 guests.

Hua Ou Aviation Training Centre is part of an Airbus global training and support network, dedicated to provide Airbus aircraft operators with training and support around the clock throughout the year. Since it received the first group of pilot trainees in October 1997, the center has trained crews from more than 30 airlines worldwide. Over 24,000 professionals, including pilots, cabin attendants, maintenance technicians, performance/operations personnel and structure technicians have been trained there.

The 12,300-square-metre training center is equipped with four full flight simulators for Airbus aircraft, three for the A320 Family and one for the A330/A340 Family. It also manages the daily operation and maintenance work for an EC225 helicopter simulator, which belongs to Eurocopter, another subsidiary of EADS.

“I am pleased to participate in another milestone in the history of Hua Ou and to see Hua Ou inaugurating a fourth Airbus full flight simulator. As the best selling single aisle aircraft family, the A320 has also proven to be very popular in China. Hua Ou has served our customers training needs extremely well since it was put into operation in 1997. With this new simulator, we will be able to prepare our customers for the EIS of the A320neo in 2015”, said Laurence Barron, president of Airbus China.

Hua Ou Aviation Training Centre has also received the approval for “Quality Assurance System” by CAAC on the same day. The system, established by CAAC, is to ensure reliable and high-quality flight training facilities in China. Hua Ou Aviation Training Centre is among the first to obtain CCAR “Quality Assurance System”. It is a testament to and recognition of Hua Ou’s long and tested experience in Airbus flight training.

To date, more than 8,600 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been sold and more than 5,300 delivered to more than 350 customers and operators worldwide, making it the world’s best selling commercial jetliner ever. With proven reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single-aisle aircraft.

The A320neo, with over 1,500 firm orders from more than 30 customers since its launch, is the fastest selling commercial aircraft ever and is on track to enter service from 2015. On 30 August, 2012, ICBC Financial Leasing Co. Ltd. signed an agreement with Airbus for a total of 50 A320 Family aircraft, including 30 A320ceo and 20 A320neo, becoming the neo’s first customer in China.