Ansett Aviation Training and Universal Training Systems (UTS) will install and jointly operate a Beech King Air simulator at Sunshine Coast Airport.
The TRU Simulation and Training King Air 350i system will also be convertible to the B200 aircraft and will be suitable for customer and regulation check and training. It will have Collins Pro Line 21 avionics and is expected to be certified to CASA Level D.
Ansett and UTS announced that Australia's largest operator of King Airs, the Queensland Section of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, would be the launch customer.
“We are delighted to be the inaugural customer on this new simulator and to have partnered with two successful Australian companies to secure our training requirements over the next decade” said RFDS Queensland Section CEO Nino Di Marco.
“Being able to conduct the training for our pilots and engineers at the Sunshine Coast Airport allows the RFDS to significantly reduce the expenditure and time that would otherwise be incurred with having to perform this training in an alternate location whilst ensuring that the training the pilots receive is world class."
UTS CEO Steve Padgett said the new King Air simulator would significantly add to his company's customer offering.
“With the new King Air Simulator to be housed next to our existing Cessna Citation Mustang Simulator, we are able to comprehensively provide for the training needs of all Beechcraft King Air operators in Australia and overseas," he said.
"This will add to the existing customer support programs established in the region by Universal, aircraft manufacturer Textron and the distributor for Beechcraft in the region, Hawker Pacific.”
The new simulator is expected to be certified and operational in November this year.