Gurgaon gets two flight simulators for training pilots

The two flight simulators — an ATR 72-500 full flight simulator and a new Boeing 737 NG Level D — are indigenously made.

Two flight simulators were launched at the Flight Simulation Technique Centre (FSTC) in Sector 35 on Tuesday.

The ATR 72-500 will be the first ATR (regional air transport) simulator in the country. (Rahul Grover/HT Photo)

In a push to the Make in India campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, two flight simulators — an ATR 72-500 full flight simulator and a new Boeing 737 NG Level D — both indigenously made, were launched on Tuesday.

The ATR 72-500 will be the first ATR (regional air transport) simulator in the country, said a spokesperson of the centre.

With the induction of the ATR 72-500, airlines will be able to make substantial savings in both costs and time spent on training pilots, the spokesperson said. They can train their flight crew a lot quicker as they don’t have to wait for training slots in distant countries.

The initiation of the ATR 72-500 will support the government’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS). This is a big step forward to cope with increasing requirement of ATR simulators for training purposes, the spokesperson said . Earlier, prospective pilots had to be sent to other countries for training on simulators.

Regarding the decision to launch a simulator programme in India, Rajiv Nayan Chaubey, secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, said, “India is a very interesting market. We have a rapidly growing economy. The main aim of this programme is to keep our skies and citizens safe. The motive is to make flying the preferred mode of transport.”

Captain Sanjay Mandavia, director, FSTC, said, “We are further extending our commitment to the aviation community in India and the region. Keeping the simulator close to Indian customers and prospective pilots will enable them to take full advantage of the opportunity.”