SUBANG – Firefly announced today that it has placed an order for a Flat Panel Trainer (FPT) configured for the ATR 72-600 aircraft. The unit will be installed during the first quarter of 2014.

Firefly Places New Order For Mechtronix Flat Panel Trainer

The FPT uses the same software as the Mechtronix ATR 72-600 full flight simulator and it is equipped with a re-host package for the Thales New Avionics Suite (NAS), two features which ensure the highest level of fidelity available in the market.

With many operators within the region going into the 600 series, Firefly also aims to become a premier training centre for ATR 72-500 and ATR 72-600 within the region.

Ignatius Ong, Firefly’s CEO highlights, “This purchase will enable us to train our pilots as well as pilots from 3rd party airlines, essentially to convert them from the ATR 72-500 to the ATR 72-600. It is also suitable for both ground and flight operations trainer to apply their expertise to normal and abnormal procedures. The next step is getting a Full Flight Simulator for the 600 series next year which will complete our comprehensive training equipment.”

Fernando Petruzziello, CEO at Mechtronix comments, “This is the first Flat Panel Trainer to be installed with Firefly and we are very pleased to count them as a new customer. It is another vote of confidence in the Mechtronix ATR FSTD product line.”

Firefly received its first ATR 72-600 in July 2013 adding to its existing fleet of 12 ATR 72-500s. The airline is expected to receive a total of 19 more of the 600 series with deliveries commencing from mid-2013 to end-2019.

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