Market Intelligence: -Simulator Training Center

• The CRJ Series regional jets are widely operated in Africa and Southeast Asia because of their efficiency in serving regional networks. However, these regions have historically had fewer full-flight simulators readily accessible for training compared to North America and Europe.
• Simaero and ICARE are partnering to offer high quality CRJ pilot training capacity in Africa.
• ICARE’s CRJ 200/700 full-flight simulator has arrived at the Simaero training center in Johannesburg and will be certified and ready for training in early 2025.
• Simaero has been established in South Africa since 2009, with its Johannesburg training center providing high-quality pilot training solutions to airlines across Africa and beyond.

Johannesburg, South Africa – Simaero, a major player in pilot training with full-flight simulators, announces the relocation of a Bombardier CRJ 200/700 full-flight simulator from France to its Johannesburg training center in South Africa. This strategic initiative, in cooperation with ICARE, aims to meet the increasing demand for pilot training from airlines across Africa and Southeast Asia. The simulator will be certified by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and is expected to be ready for training in 2025.

Expanding Accessibility and Reducing Training Costs for Local CRJ Pilots

The CRJ Series regional jets are a popular choice across Africa and Southeast Asia, with many pilots requiring recurrent training each year to maintain their licenses. By relocating the CRJ 200/700 full-flight simulator closer to where demand is highest, Simaero and ICARE are making training more accessible, reducing the need for long-distance travel and lowering associated costs for airlines. By offering advanced training solutions locally, Simaero is positioning itself as a key partner for operators looking to expand or modernize their fleets with the CRJ, ensuring they have access to top-tier training facilities.

Leveraging In-House Expertise to Accelerate Simulator Certification

The full-flight simulator is currently being reassembled and upgraded at Simaero’s Johannesburg training center. This relocation project is a result of close collaboration with ICARE, a French training center and owner of the device. The project has been executed under the supervision of Simaero Engineering, a division with over a decade of experience in managing complex simulator relocations worldwide. The team will also carry out a series of upgrades to ensure full compliance with SACAA regulations, with certification expected in the coming months.

The CRJ 200/700 full-flight simulator will be operational and ready for training by early 2025. At that time, associated pilot training programs will be added to the curriculum of Simaero’s SACAA-approved training organization. This simulator will join the five full-flight simulators already in operation at the Johannesburg center representing the ATR 42/72-500, Beechcraft 1900, Dash 8-100/300, Embraer ERJ 145, and MD 82 aircraft types.

“This project represents a significant step forward for Simaero as we continue to expand our high-quality training solutions for airlines globally,” said Nicolas Mouté, CEO of Simaero. “With simulators strategically located in France, South Africa, China, and soon India, we ensure that airlines can access the training they need, wherever they operate. This also underscores Simaero Engineering’s expertise in managing complex simulator relocations and upgrades.”

“We have a longlasting experience of supporting many African airlines with training services , and we were eager to seal this agreement with Simaero for the relocation of our CRJ simulator in South Africa, along with a joint commercial cooperation on the CRJ Training market worldwide,” said Philippe Goetz, CEO of ICARE.

About SIMAERO
Simaero is a world-leading provider of pilot training on full-flight simulators and simulation engineering solutions. In global aviation, change is a constant. We promise to be a straightforward and continual presence in the complex training requirements of international airlines and pilots. With five training centers strategically located in France (headquarters), South Africa, China and India, Simaero trains over 5,000 pilots every year from 250+ civil and military carriers and 80+ countries. Our simulator fleet and training solutions cover the main commercial aircraft types, including Airbus, Boeing, ATR, and Embraer.

About ICARE
ICARE is an EASA approved ATO (Approved Training Organization) and MTO (Maintenance Training Organization), providing training to Cockpit Crews, Cabin Crews, Maintenance and other Ground Personnel for airline and individual customers. The company operates full flight simulators and other training devices in its Morlaix, Brittany, (France) facility, and cooperates with Simaero for the operation of a CRJ-200/700 full flight simulator in Johannesburg (South Africa). ICARE also provides engineering services, simulator housing and maintenance, and VR based aviation learning solutions design and development services.

Leveraging on its longstanding reputation of quality and customer service, ICARE provides a full range of training for the Airbus A318/319/320/321 family and for the Bombardier-Mitsubishi CRJ-200/700/900/1000 aircraft types.

Note: Created in 1991 as the ATO of BritAir, a French regional airline based in Morlaix, Brittany, France, ICARE operates since October 2022 as a stand-alone, customer-driven, management-owned company and is no longer affiliated with Hop! Airline nor the Air France-KLM Group.

Source: SIMAERO
Photo Credit: SIMAERO