Order Makes Center The First All Mechtronix-equipped Training Organization

Flight training equipment provider Mechtronix Systems announced this week IFTC Istanbul will exercise its options to buy two FFS X Non-Zero Flight Time (NZFT) simulators. The devices replicating the A320 and B737NG are being deployed at its International Flight Training Center in Istanbul, Turkey.

The first B737NG FFS X NZFT sim has already received Level C qualification, while the evaluation for the other A320 FFS X NZFT is scheduled for later this year. At the customer's request, French civil aviation authorities, the Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile, will perform the evaluation under JAA Joint Aviation Regulations.

The simulators will add to the IFTC Istanbul's existing fleet of two Level D-certified FFS X Zero Flight Time sims.

The FFS X features an electric motion base, as well as LCoS projectors and replication architecture. The FFS X architecture maximizes the use of OEM software for simulated displays and avionics thus significantly reducing aircraft hardware and associated maintenance requirements.

"We are very pleased with the two Mechtronix FFS X ZFT already installed at our facility," said Mekin Gozen, President and CEO of IFTC Istanbul parent Gozen Group. "We have been fully operational with them and have decided to exercise our options and add two more Mechtronix FFS X to our training center. Our experience with Mechtronix and its products has been a great one. We look forward to continuing our business relationship with them."

The IFTC Istanbul simulation equipment, a multi-million dollar investment, is financed via SoftFlight of the Netherlands. "Our core business is to offer financial solutions for operators of simulators and simulator centers. We are proud to be associated with pioneer companies like IFTC Istanbul and Mechtronix in the set-up of new training centers relying on next generation simulation technology," said Marty van Veluw, General Manager and Co-Founder of SoftFlight.

"We are currently in discussions regarding expanding this model to other regions and are also involved in several other refinancing projects," van Veluw added. "In the present financial turmoil, we are glad that we are able to support so many new ventures. Our goal is to continue to play a key role in the growth of the aviation training industry."

"We are thankful for the trust IFTC Istanbul and Gozen Group has put into Mechtronix by choosing us to be their sim provider for four full flight simulators. We are extremely proud to have a new training center such as the IFTC Istanbul to be all Mechtronix-equipped," said Xavier Herve, President of Mechtronix. "Mechtronix' unique ability to provide and manufacture state-of-the-art pilot training equipment offers to today's airlines and training centers new and alternative cost-efficient training business models."

FMI: www.mechtronix.com