Sirika inspecting the B737 simulator in Montreal, Canada
The long awaited Boeing 737 simulator meant for the recurrent training of Nigerian pilots has been built and would be delivered to Nigeria in March.
This was disclosed at the weekend by Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika who insoected the equipment in Montreal, Canada.
Sirika said the simulator would be delivered to the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria.
Sirika in a tweet said that the simulator would not only save the country foreign exchange but would reduce cost incurred by Nigerian airlines.
“In Montreal Canada, Sirika Twitted, “received Boeing 737 full moon flight simulator for NCAT Zaria. Ready for shipment in March. This will increase NCAT’s capability, to save forex and reduce cost incurred by our airlines. A well trained, proficient pilot is number one key to safety.”
NCAT Rector, Captain Abdulsallami Mohammed who spoke to the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondent (LAAC) late 2019 had said that the school has reached 60% in the design of its simulator base to house its newly acquired B737NG simulator with futuristic plans to install more simulators to cater the need of the country’s training especially with talks of a national carrier in the making.
Captain Mohammed during the interview last year had said, “That is the type that Arik Air operates. We envisaged that the B737 Classics are on their way out. That is why we decided to go for the NG. This project would have been completed a long time ago. The initial process was to site the simulator in Lagos, but when this administration came into power in 2015, the decision was changed to site it in Zaria and there was no provision for the building that will accommodate this simulator. We looked at the possibility of using existing structures, but they are not suitable.
“So, we now had to start afresh by getting consultants that will design the building, we had to go through full procurement process, selecting contractors. We awarded that contract last year and the building as we speak is about 60 per cent completed. The structure is completed. We are only doing internal wiring, painting and stuff like that. That simulator we hope would be delivered to the college within the first quarter of 2020.
“When we have that simulator installed, we will be able to offer type-rating courses on that B737NG. Now, as part of our plans for the future, we also made provision for a second simulator. So, if you go to the building, you will see that we have two simulator bases. We intend to install a second simulator. We are watching the industry to see if the national carrier comes; the type of equipment they are going to use will now guide us on the type of simulator to install. Once we have the national carrier, NCAT will play a big role in training a lot of the personnel.”
