SriLankan Flight Academy opens

Aircraft flying training entered a new dimension in Sri Lanka, with the opening of SriLankan Airlines’ Flight Academy, with its first Airbus A320 full flight simulator, located in the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

Offering a total flying experience on ground, it facilitates training for pilots not only in Sri Lanka but in the region of South Asia.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa opened the facility yesterday continuing his visionary drive towards the government’s target in turning Sri Lanka into a regional hub for knowledge and education.

SriLankan Airlines’ Chairman Nishantha Wickremasinghe expressed his gratitude for the vision, direction and support extended to the national carrier to expand and move forward, as part of a futuristic national plan to develop the aviation sector for the future generations in Sri Lanka.

The Chairman said, “Today, we begin a new phase in Sri Lanka’s Aviation sector and we look forward to being a centre of training excellence to the current and future pilots in the region.”

SriLankan Airlines signed a ten year lease agreement with SIM Industries Netherlands to promote the training capability in the region. The Airbus A320 Simulator will be able to provide the required flying training for SriLankan cadet pilots, first officers and captains as well as provide training time to guest pilots from other airlines in the region.

SIM Industries CEO Frank Uit den Bogaard said: “SIM Industries is delighted to partner SriLankan Airlines in this long-term venture.

“We have been looking at opportunities in South Asia for sometime and there is no doubt that Colombo is an excellent strategic location to serve the region’s airlines.

“We will provide a sophisticated flight simulator that will reduce training costs for airlines in South Asia and even neighbouring regions such as the Middle East and Far East,” he said.

“As the airline expands, we are determined to maintain the highest standards of pilot proficiency. The new simulator will be of enormous benefit in our drive for operational excellence,” said the airline’s Head of Flight Operations, Captain Navin De Silva. “The simulator will work in four hourly slots, 24-hours a day making excess time available for guest pilots from the region to undergo training,” the Captain added.