FlightSafety International and Textron's TRU Simulation + Training have established a joint venture to combine training on all 48 Textron Aviation aircraft—Cessna, Citation, Beechcraft, Beechjet, King Air, and Hawker—using 89 simulators at 16 locations, the flight and maintenance training companies announced today. The venture includes the formation of a new company, FlightSafety Textron Aviation Training, that will be led by CEO Brian Moore, who was previously FlightSafety’s executive director of operations.
“Our main goal in establishing FlightSafety Textron Aviation Training is to further enhance the training and services our customers receive,” FlightSafety co-CEO David Davenport said. “Combining the strengths and resources of FlightSafety and TRU Simulation + Training will also increase efficiency, promote innovation, and ensure the extension of our high-quality training programs into new and upcoming Textron Aviation aircraft.”
TRU operates pilot training centers for Textron Aviation aircraft in Carlsbad, California, and Tampa, Florida, as well as its Aviation Maintenance Academy that’s adjacent to the west campus of Wichita-based Textron Aviation. Those three centers will be operated under the new joint venture, a TRU spokeswoman told AIN. It doesn’t include TRU’s flight training center for Bell Flight in Valencia, Spain. Bell is a sister company to TRU and Textron Aviation.
“This joint venture brings together two of the most well-respected and trusted names in aviation,” TRU president Gunnar Kleveland said. “By leveraging our teams’ strengths and combination of world-class training capabilities, I am confident this will provide an enhanced training experience for our customers as Textron Aviation continues to expand its portfolio.”