Air Deccan to take delivery of an Ascent(R) ATR 42/72 Full Flight Trainer(TM) from Aerosim-Mechtronix.

  This announcement comes shortly after the Ascent(R) ATR 42-300 Full
  Flight Trainer(TM) received dual certification in France

ASIA PACIFIC AIRLINE TRAINING SYMPOSIUM (APATS), SINGAPORE, Feb. 21 /CNW Telbec/ - The Avions de Transport Regional (ATR) Training Centre has purchased an Ascent(R) Full Flight Trainer(TM) (FFT(TM)) for the ATR 42/72 family of aircraft for use by Air Deccan. The FFT(TM) will be easily re-configurable between the following configurations: ATR 42-300, ATR 42-500, ATR 72-200, ATR 72-500.

The device will support ATR's new training platform called Advanced Aviation Training. The concept is based on an intensive use of non motion training devices and equipment in initial and recurrent training, prior to training in a full motion environment.

The FFT(TM) will be designed, developed, fabricated and tested to be certified JAR STD 2A level II and JAR STD 3A level II MCC. In addition, aerodynamic and ground reactions modelling, engine performance modelling, control feel dynamics, control forces/travel and simulation of aircraft systems will comply with the requirements of FAA AC120-45, FTD Level 6.

"We are excited that ATR has chosen Mechtronix, a world reknown manufacturer of flight simualtors, to provide us with the latest technology in flight simulation and we are looking forward to start our training sessions.", said Capt. G.R. Gapinath, Managing Director - Air Deccan.

Captain Jean-Michel Bigarre, Vice-President Training and Flight Operations at ATR Training Centre said: "The Ascent(R) FFT(TM) allows some of the pilot training exercises traditionally performed on a FFS to be executed on a more cost-effective training device. Air Deccan will benefit from a very efficient tool increasing safety, while simultaneously avoiding additional expenditures."

"Mechtronix is proud to partner with ATR for the deployment of their new Advanced Aviation Training platform in India, with Air Deccan being the first Ascent(R) flight simulation device user in that country." said the President of Mechtronix Systems, Xavier Herve.

About Air Deccan

Since its inception in August 2003, Air Deccan has carried over 2.5 million passengers, covering 46 destinations. It has over 195 flights a day, with a fleet size of 22 aircraft composing Airbus A-320 and ATR. Air Deccan is a business unit of Deccan Aviation, India's largest charter company in the private sector.

About ATR

Toulouse, Southern France-based regional aircraft manufacturer Avions de Transport Regional (ATR) is the world leader in the 50 to 70-seat turboprop market. ATR is an equal partnership between Alenia Aeronautica (Finmeccanica Group) and EADS (European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company). The ATR Training Centre provides a modern and centralized facility for training of crews and personnel for the airlines operating ATR aircraft around the world. In 1997, in addition to his training center in Toulouse, ATR opened, in partnership with Thales, a training centre in Bangkok. AATC is equipped with two Full Flight Simulator (FFS) for the benefit of all the Asia-Pacific regional operators.

About Aerosim-Mechtronix

Aerosim Technologies and Mechtronix Systems have partnered to deliver a complete family of pilot training tools for ground school, distance learning and flight training under an Integrated Training Architecture(TM) (ITA(TM)) that allows pilots and technicians to maximize the throughput and yield of their training systems. Aerosim combines its industry leading software with the hardware technologies of Montreal based partner Mechtronix Systems, Inc. This offers a vertically integrated training solution to the simulation and training community. The cost effectiveness, the fidelity and the industrial reliability of their training devices have been demonstrated time and again through reduced training footprints resulting in better qualified, more confident and safer pilots and technicians.

CONTACT: Mechtronix Systems, Nathalie Robitaille, [phone], [e-mail], http://www.mechtronix.com/; Frederic Lahache, ATR, 33 5 62 21 60 61, [e-mail], http://www.atraircraft.com/; Air Deccan, Vijaya Menon (TBC), 080-51585000, [e-mail], http://www.airdeccan.net/; Aerosim Technologies, Jennifer Montville, 1-952-894-4694, [e-mail], http://www.aerosim.com/