Alpha Aviation Group is pursuing its investment into pilot training, with the purchase of the latest multimillion dollar Airbus A330 Full Flight Simulator with Airbus A340 functionality from CAE Commercial Flight Training.

AAG’s Asia Pacific Regional Manager Cristopher Magdangal shakes hand with General Manager and Director of CFT at CAE Commercial Flight Training B.V. Roger Dacombe on the purchase of A330 FFS

The Airbus A330/340 Full Flight Simulator will be placed at Alpha Aviation Group Philippines based in Clark, Philippines, approximately an hour’s drive away from the country’s capital, Manila. The newest investment was made to support the wide body segment, lower the cost of training of domestic and regional airlines, and support Philippines’ economic growth.

This type of simulator will be the first wide body simulator in the Philippines and the latest simulator with Airbus A340 functionality built globally. It will simulate all the functions of a real Airbus A330 aircraft and has the flexibility to change to Airbus A340 layout when required by an airline.

The acquisition of the simulator is in line with the fast-paced growth within the Southeast Asian airline industry, with demand for commercial pilots far outstripping supply. Boeing has recently forecast that 617,000 more commercial pilots will be needed globally by 2034, with 248,000 (40%) required across Southeast Asia. The Southeast Asia’s wide body fleet grew by more than 30% in 2015 and Alpha Aviation Group is committed to supporting this airline growth with training and training infrastructure.

The Airbus A330/340 Full Flight simulator will serve as an invaluable training tool for Alpha Aviation Group Philippines’ domestic and foreign cadets and airline partners.

Alpha Aviation Group is well positioned to assist the regional airlines in their aggressive expansion plans. The latest investment is a commitment from AAG to continue supporting the regional airline industry. The announcement was made at the launch of another simulator investment by Alpha Aviation Group Philippines, another multi-million-dollar Airbus A320 Fixed Base Simulator.

Alpha Aviation Group’s Regional Director Cristopher Magdangal said: “The acquisition of a new Airbus A330 Full Flight Simulator signifies AAG’s promise to extend its airline services offering to include the wide body segment. The A340 functionality will make this device unique in the region in the next decade, enhances the position of the Philippines becoming a global aviation training hub and positions AAG as a training center of excellence.”