Lanka, soon a centre of excellence in aviation - President

Rasika SOMARATHNA

President Mahinda Rajapaksa after opening the SriLankan Airlines Flight Academy, with its first Airbus A320 full flight simulator at the BIA yesterday, identified the facility as a part of a futuristic national plan to develop the aviation sector.

The country today was looking forward to becoming a centre of excellence in many areas including the aviation sector, he said.

The Airbus A320 simulator located at the Bandaranaike International Airport is able to provide a complete flying experience on ground, qualifying the pilots to take on a direct 'simulator to aircraft' capability.

The sophisticated facility is considered the best of its kind in South Asia.

The simulator is expected to greatly reduce training costs of pilots and earn a large foreign revenue as SriLankan Airlines plans to open its doors not only to train pilots from Sri Lanka but also for guest pilots from South Asia and beyond for a fee.

President Rajapaksa, with the opening of the facility yesterday, became the first person to experience the simulator which recreated actual flying experience. In recognition of this feat, 'SriLankan' awarded a certificate to the President.

Referring to the new facility, he said Sri Lanka earlier had to send pilots to Singapore to train them on Airbus A320 flying and added that now this could be done locally. By offering its services to pilots from outside the country it could also earn valuable foreign revenue, he added.

In moving forward in the aviation sector, the President said Sri Lanka should look to emulate global best practices while maintaining a unique national identity.

"There could be challenges and wild allegations. However, we should have the determination and courage to face them and overcome odds," he added.

He also emphasized the need for more aircraft, strengthening the academy, improving training facilities and meet the needs of the sector as a whole to emerge as a leader in the aviation sector globally.

He told the SriLankan staff not to leave room for any complaints from customers and work with commitment, dedication and team spirit to achieve this.

Recalling past challenges, the President said there was a time when Sri Lanka did not have a national carrier and also had lost flight routes and countries due to blunders. He said this was why the government established the national budget airline Mihin Lanka.

He reminded the gathering that during the previous dark era, the staff of the Airline had even resorted to sabotaging flights. "Some of the employees had also questioned the government's ability to run the Airline when we re-acquired it," he added.

However, after overcoming all odds the government is now in the process of rebuilding and developing both Airlines, he added.

He noted that this dark history was in the past and a new path had been laid out for a bright future to develop the Airline as one of the best. He said SriLankan had taken a giant step by establishing the Academy which included the A320 simulator. He urged the staff to work with commitment to reach greater heights.

The Airbus A320 simulator has been designed by the SIM Industries of Netherlands. It is of level 'D Standard', the highest level of certification which makes it identical to that of an aircraft.

According to Chairman of SriLankan Airlines Nishantha Wickremasinghe, the second phase will see the installation of a SIM Industries Airbus A330 simulator, towards the second quarter of 2012.

Also, SriLankan plans to come up with a simulator at the Mattala Airport by 2013. Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne and Head of Flight Operations Captain Navin De Silva also spoke during the ceremony yesterday.

A replica of the Airbus A320 simulator was presented to the President by Chairman Wickremasinghe. Arundika Fernando MP, Acting Ambassador of Netherlands in Sri Lanka Van Noordenne, Sri Lankan Airlines staff and others were present.