Simaero Wins French Air and Space Force Airbus A330 Pilot Training Contract

Following a public tender, Simaero has won the contract for training and maintaining the skills of pilots on Airbus A330 aircraft of the French Air and Space Force.

The pilots are trained for the benefit of the 31st Strategic Air Transport and Refueling Squadron (EARTS) operating the Airbus A330 MRTT "Phénix" based in Istres (Bouches du Rhône).

Multi-role aircraft, allowing the transport of passengers and cargo while ensuring the mission of in-flight refueling, the “Phénix” is gradually entering into service with the French Air and Space Force, replacing the Boeing C135-FRs. Equipped with a medical evacuation capacity, these planes were used during Operation Resilience against COVID-19.

Simaero's training includes type qualification, cross crew qualification, instructor and examiner training.

"It is an honor and pride to be once again at the service of the Air and Space Force," said Cyril Fabre, managing director, Simaero Defense & Government Services. "With this new contract, added to the maintenance contract for the C135-FR flight simulator, we become a preferred supplier to the Air Force by offering our full range of training and engineering services."

These training sessions will be provided on the FFS A330 v2.5 UPRT simulator based in Simaero’s Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle center.

Training in the differences between the civil A330-200 aircraft and the A330 MRTT "Phénix" aircraft is also the responsibility of Simaero.

This contract highlights the flexibility and ability of Simaero to meet the specific expectations of its customers and strengthens Simaero's presence with government players.