Embraer is in talks with Rheinmetall, from Germany, to evaluate the installation of a new training center in Europe for the C-390 Millennium tactical transport aircraft.
The airlifter, which has been in service since 2019, has only one training area, located in Brazil, where there is a complete flight and mission simulator (FFMS) and a Loadmaster training station.
Members of the air forces of Brazil, Portugal and Hungary carried out training there, but the various requests for C-390s from European countries motivated Embraer to have facilities on the continent.
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According to the company, discussions with Rheinmetall “could lead to the development of a dedicated training solution for the region, supporting current and future C-390 customers.”
Own flight simulators
Currently, there are orders or intentions to purchase the C-390 from the Netherlands, Austria and the Czech Republic in Europe. Portugal already operates one of the five jets while Hungary is about to receive its first aircraft.
“With the ongoing success of the C-390 throughout Europe, it is the right moment to start the evaluation and planning for a European C-390 training hub, providing comprehensive training facilities for aircrew and cargo operation training,” said Timo Haas, CDO of Rheinmetall and Executive Vice President of Rheinmetall Electronics.
“We want to create the best conditions for our C-390 customers, by offering the best-in-class training. We continuously monitor the network and assess customized solutions per region as the fleet grows,”, added Ayslan Anholon, Vice President for Flight Operations & Training, Embraer Services & Support.
The new European training center, however, does not prevent operators from having their own simulators and flying. This is what Portugal has already contracted and which will be installed at the Beja Air Base.
Another country that has expressed a desire to have its own FFMS in the country is the Netherlands, which is about to sign a contract for five C-390s.
