Simtech Aviation Upgrades ATR Training Facilities as Emerald Airlines Leadership Visits Dublin

Ireland – Dublin-based simulator training centre operator Simtech Aviation has hosted Emerald Airlines Founder and Executive Chairman Conor McCarthy at its training facility to review recent improvements to its ATR pilot training infrastructure and preparations for additional Airbus simulator capacity. The November 2026 visit also coincided with a new group of Emerald Airlines First Officers commencing ATR type rating training at Simtech.

• Simtech Aviation is preparing for the arrival of Aer Lingus' Airbus A321XLR Full Flight Simulator (FFS) in January 2027, with the removal of an existing Airbus A320ceo simulator underway to make space for the new device.
• The training centre has completed upgrades to its ATR briefing rooms, which are now available to Emerald Airlines and other ATR training customers. The improvements support the centre's continuing ATR type rating and recurrent training activities.
• During the visit, McCarthy met with several newly recruited Emerald Airlines First Officers beginning their ATR type ratings, including a former Simtech Airline Pilot Standards Multi-Crew Cooperation (APS MCC) graduate who has subsequently progressed into airline employment.
• McCarthy met with Simtech's Head of Sales & Commercial Operations Maurice Shiels and Accountable Manager Capt. Se Pardy to review the training centre's recent developments and ongoing support for Emerald Airlines. He also visited the ATR 72-500 simulator alongside Simtech Captain Con Foley.
• AFM previously reported that Simtech Aviation completed ATR type ratings for two Emerald Airlines pilots in April 2026, with the pilots subsequently progressing towards base training, operator conversion and line training. The latest intake continues the established training relationship between the organisations.
• Simtech's published training equipment portfolio includes Airbus A320, ATR 72-600 and ATR 72-500 full flight simulators, alongside fixed-base Boeing 737-800 and XJ training devices. The facility is undergoing a simulator transition as part of Aer Lingus' investment in three CAE-manufactured full flight simulators covering the Airbus A320ceo/neo, A330ceo/neo and A321XLR.

About Simtech Aviation
Established in 2001 and headquartered near Dublin Airport, Simtech Aviation is an Irish Aviation Authority-approved training organisation providing airline pilot type ratings, recurrent training, APS MCC and simulator leasing services from its 1,860m² training facility. Simtech Aviation has trained more than 5,500 student pilots since its establishment and provides training services for airlines and flight training organisations across Europe.

About Emerald Airlines
Emerald Airlines is an Irish regional airline headquartered at Dublin Airport, operating Aer Lingus Regional services under a franchise agreement through its Irish and UK operations. The airline operates a fleet of 20 ATR 72-600 aircraft, comprising 13 aircraft under its Irish operation and seven under its UK operation, serving regional routes across Ireland, the United Kingdom and France.

Source: Simtech Aviation