SimCom has introduced the first simulator under its exclusive agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America to provide training for the MU-2 twin-turboprop. The SimCom-built Level 5 flight training device for the Marquise/Solitaire will be followed in the third quarter by a second device for the MU-2J/K and subsequent models.
SimCom signed a 10-year agreement in 2001 to take over from FlightSafety International as the factory-authorised training provider for MU-2 operators worldwide, except Japan. The company began training in April 2002 at its Orlando, Florida, centre, using two simulators acquired from FlightSafety.
There are 415 MU-2s active in North America and Europe, most with owner-operators required by their insurance underwriters to do recurrent training once a year.
Source: Flight International