Lufthansa Aviation Training is launch customer for L3Harris Technologies Boeing FTD

Lufthansa Aviation Training (LAT) has become the launch customer for the new, state-of-the-art L3Harris Technologies Boeing 787 Flight Training Device (FTD) which along with an additional order for a Boeing 787 Full Flight Simulator (FFS) provides a best-in-class training solution in their Frankfurt pilot training facility.

The Boeing 787 FFS and FTD will be delivered to LAT’s Training Centre in Frankfurt by the second half of 2022. The two new L3Harris devices will support their pilot and cadet training on this new model. L3Harris has also developed and delivered two advanced A320 FTDs and an A350 FFS to LAT.

 FTDs enable airlines and training operators to reduce their training costs while maintaining pilot training effectiveness, while addressing the changing European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. Recent amendments to both EASA and FAA regulations provide the flexibility and clarity for an increased proportion of simulator training hours to be flown on FTDs. This mixed training device approach reduces reliance on higher-cost full flight simulators for type rating and some elements of recurrent training. It also addresses the importance  of providing improved flexibility and cost-effectiveness in the wake of the pandemic whilst maintaining world class pilot training standards.

“We are investing in and leveraging our expertise of manufacturing flight training devices to develop fixed base devices. This is offering trainers a wider variety of high-fidelity devices, giving them more versatility to tailor their programs to specific aircraft and airline requirements,” said Alan Crawford, President, Commercial Aviation, L3Harris. “We are excited to launch this new device for our customer.”

“We already have a good working relationship with L3Harris as a manufacturer. Two of our FTD training devices, which we operate in Vienna and Zurich, as well as our A350 full flight simulator in Munich, were purchased from L3Harris, said Matthias Spohr, Managing Director of Lufthansa Aviation Training GmbH. “All training devices are convincing in daily training operations – not only for us, but also for our customers. The newly ordered FFS and FTD of the Boeing 787 type therefore not only complement the existing L3Harris family at LAT, but also significantly expand our training portfolio for the needs of Lufthansa Airlines in the course of the introduction of the new aircraft type as well as for external market customers.”