Bombardier CRJ 200-700 FFS arrives at Simaero Johannesburg

The strategic initiative, in cooperation with ICARE, aims to meet the increasing demand for pilot training from airlines across Africa and Southeast Asia. The simulator will be certified by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and is expected to be ready for training in 2025.

Expanding Accessibility and Reducing Training Costs for Local CRJ Pilots

The CRJ Series regional jets are a popular choice across Africa and Southeast Asia, with many pilots requiring recurrent training each year to maintain their licenses. By relocating the CRJ 200/700 full-flight simulator closer to where demand is highest, Simaero and ICARE are making training more accessible, reducing the need for long-distance travel and lowering associated costs for airlines. By offering advanced training solutions locally, Simaero is positioning itself as a key partner for operators looking to expand or modernize their fleets with the CRJ, ensuring they have access to top-tier training facilities.

Leveraging In-House Expertise to Accelerate Simulator Certification

The full-flight simulator is currently being reassembled and upgraded at Simaero's Johannesburg training centre. This relocation project is a result of close collaboration with ICARE, a French training centre and owner of the device. The project has been executed under the supervision of Simaero Engineering, a division with over a decade of experience in managing complex simulator relocations worldwide. The team will also carry out a series of upgrades to ensure full compliance with SACAA regulations, with certification expected in the coming months.

The CRJ 200/700 full-flight simulator will be operational and ready for training by early 2025. At that time, associated pilot training programmes will be added to the curriculum of Simaero’s SACAA- approved training organisation. This simulator will join the five full-flight simulators already in operation at the Johannesburg center representing the ATR 42/72-500, Beechcraft 1900, Dash 8- 100/300, Embraer ERJ 145, and MD 82 aircraft types.

“This project represents a significant step forward for Simaero as we continue to expand our high- quality training solutions for airlines globally,” said Nicolas Mouté, CEO of Simaero. “With simulators strategically located in France, South Africa, China, and soon India, we ensure that airlines can access the training they need, wherever they operate. This also underscores Simaero Engineering’s expertise in managing complex simulator relocations and upgrades.”

“We have a longlasting experience of supporting many African airlines with training services , and we were eager to seal this agreement with Simaero for the relocation of our CRJ simulator in South Africa, along with a joint commercial cooperation on the CRJ Training market worldwide,” said Philippe Goetz, CEO of ICARE.