Alpha Aviation Group, one of Asia’s leading pilot training providers, has launched its new multi-million dollar Full Flight Airbus A330/A340 simulator at a ceremony at its Clark training facility in the Philippines.
The first wide body and state-of-the-art simulator in the Philippines, has complete Airbus A330 and A340 functionality — fully replicating the cockpit experience and functions of both planes.
The purchase of the simulator comes at a critical moment for the aviation industry across Asia-Pacific. Falling oil prices coupled with a rising middle-class in the region have led to a surge in demand for air travel, in turn driving demand for more pilots.
As a result, Boeing predicts the Asia-Pacific region will need an additional 248,000 pilots by 2035 – 40% of the global total of 617,000 new pilots required.
Furthermore, a large portion of this growing demand in Asia-Pacific is for long-haul travel, which requires wide body aircraft such as the A330 and A340. In recent years many airlines have increased their wide body fleets and Southeast Asia’s wide body fleet grew by more than 30% in 2015.
The simulator will be financed in agreement with BDO Leasing & Finance, the leasing and finance division of the Philippines largest bank.
The launch event was attended by Bhanu Choudhrie, Founder of C&C Alpha Group; Cristopher Magdangal, Alpha Aviation Group Regional Director – Asia Pacific; Roberto E. Lapid, Vice Chairman & President of BDO Leasing, Agerico Verzola, First Vice President of BDO Leasing; Artemio Tuazon Jr, Chief of Staff of the Philippines Department of Transportation; and Cherian Thomas, Non-Executive Director of C&C Alpha Group.
Also in attendance were a number of officials from leading regional airlines, government officials, diplomats and representatives from local educational institutions.
Bhanu Choudhrie, Founder of C&C Alpha Group, said:
“As the first simulator of its kind in the region, the Full Flight A330/A340 simulator will unlock the potential of cadets across the Asia-Pacific region – enabling them to master new skills and fulfil their career prospects. This new simulator will assist airlines across the region in both training more pilots, and at a lower cost, ensuring the region is equipped to meet the increasing demand for more commercial aviators.”
Cristopher Magdangal, Alpha Aviation Group Regional Director of Asia Pacific, said:
“This simulator is an integral step in our commitment to provide cutting-edge facilities founded upon a progressive attitude towards cadet training. At a time where new, talented pilots are needed more than ever in the South-East Asia region, the launch of this state-of-the-art simulator will boost regional growth ensure that AAG remains at the forefront of pilot training solutions across.”
For further information, please contact:
James Brilliant
0207 025 1374
Kc Garcia
keziah.garcia@aag.aero
0917 823 5904
NOTE TO EDITORS
Alpha Aviation Group is a leading international pilot training solution provider, and part of the international private equity firm, C & C Alpha Group, which has a 30-year track record of incubating successful businesses.
Alpha Aviation Group specializes in airline training solutions, offering traditional cadet programmed, Multi-crew Pilot License (MPL) and Type Rating training. The organization holds approvals under several aviation authorities, providing pilots in its target region with the highest possible standard of training.
The group currently consists of Alpha Aviation Group in the Philippines, and Alpha Aviation Academy in the UAE, which has the largest Multi-Crew Pilot License programmed in the Middle East.