Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has acquired the first full flight Airbus A320 simulator from L3Harris Technologies for pilot training, refresher courses and air safety. This state-of-the-art digital 7E Evolution Airbus A320 Full Flight Simulator will be installed at PIA Training Centre (PTC) in Karachi. This will be the first of its kind A320 simulator for pilots’ training in the region. The simulator will not only be beneficial to PIA’s own pilots who fly the Airbus A320 but also to other Pakistani airlines like Airblue and Air Sial that use Airbus A320 aircraft. Pakistan has 670 Airbus A320 pilots.
Right now all the pilots who need trainings on simulators have to travel abroad to do this. That costs airlines a lot of money and resources. On top of that airlines have to arrange travel and lodging for Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority inspectors as well. This simulator will effectively all such trips in future which might upset many specially in PCAA.
PIA is working to construct a simulator complex where it plans to have simulators of Boeing 747, 777 and Airbus 320 will be installed. The simulator complex will be linked to the airport hotel. So pilots from other countries can also travel and do their trainings. This will also become an income source for PIA in future.