Both Ansett and Universal are also pleased to announce that terms have been agreed with the Royal Flying Doctor Service – Queensland Section (RFDS) to be the launch customer on this simulator. The Queensland Section of the RFDS operate the largest fleet of King Air aircraft in Australia and, as the launch customer, has been able to secure favourable commercial terms and secure their long-term training requirements at UTS’ state of the art facility.
“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 Mr 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” explained Mr. Di Marco.
Ansett is the world’s largest privately owned simulator training provider and currently operates 13 simulators from its main base at Melbourne Airport. Ansett has recently expanded into its first overseas operations opening a 6-bay training facility in Taiwan and announced in March its plans to open a further site at Malpensa Airport in Milan, Italy.
Ansett CEO Mr. David Garside said “we are excited to be partnering with Steve and his team at UTS in being able to place this simulator in a location that best suits all of the King Air operators in Australia. Simulator training is an important piece of any aviation operation and it speaks volumes that such an iconic brand as the Royal Flying Doctor Service, who are globally recognised for their commitment to both service and safety, has chosen to trust Ansett and Universal with this critical aspect of their business.”
UTS is an Australian company founded by veteran aviation industry leader Steve Padgett who commented: “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. 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.”
Universal will be providing client specific training syllabus as well as regulation check and training. The combined resources of Ansett, UTS and TRU will deliver a unique opportunity to develop training material for King Air operators like the RFDS that is both mandated and where required, specific to their needs. This arrangement provides the opportunity for operators to outsource to UTS an often costly check and training function.
The collaboration between AAT, UTS and TRU provides a holistic service and demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the Australian aviation industry ensuring pilot training standards in this country remain world class.
Contact:
Ansett: Ms. Emi Scavitto – [email protected]
Universal: Mr. Steve Padgett – [email protected]
RFDS: Mr. Ian Finlayson – [email protected]
