Sri Lankan Airlines to set up flight simulator centre with Dutch firm

Computer Play July 08, 2010 (LBO) - SriLankan Airlines will set up a flight simulator centre with SIM Industries of the Netherlands targeting the growing South Asian regional market for pilot training, the airline said. "We have been looking at opportunities in South Asia for some time, and there is no doubt that Colombo is an excellent strategic location to serve the region’s airlines," Frank Uit den Bogaard, CEO of SIM Industries said.

"We will provide a sophisticated flight simulator that will reduce training costs for airlines in South Asia, and even neighboring regions such as the Middle East and Far East."

SIM Industries BV (www.sim-industries.com) makes and operates flight simulators.

The simulators brought to Sri Lanka will be certified to 'Level D' standard, which the airline says is the top rating for flight simulators making it identical to the actual aircraft.

"SriLankan Airlines is closely supporting our government’s strategy to transform Sri Lanka into a hub for knowledge and a hub for aviation in South Asia," SriLankan chief executive Manoj Gunawardena said in a statement.

"The launch of this full-flight simulator in partnership with globally reputed SIM Industries will defin