Boeing expands Flight Training Centre near Gatwick

Boeing has unveiled a newly-installed 737 MAX 8 simulator at its Flight Training Centre in Crawley near London Gatwick Airport and announced the construction of a new annex to accommodate the growing demand for pilot and technician training.

“Demand for Boeing’s leading products and services is strong from our customers in Europe and on into the Middle East and Africa,” explained Sir Michael Arthur, president of Boeing Europe and managing director of Boeing UK and Ireland. “It is crucial for our customers that we are able to meet this demand locally and we are delighted to grow further our pilot and technician training offering in Crawley as part of our new services business unit. This also continues our growth in the United Kingdom to support local customers and enhances further Boeing’s commitment to the UK and its economic prosperity.”

The 4,900 sqm Boeing Flight Services Centre opened in September 2004 and currently houses several classrooms, fixed training devices and eight full-flight simulators. There are four 787 full flight simulators (three 787-8 and one 787-9) as well as full flight simulators for the 777, Next Generation 737 and the newly-installed 737 MAX 8 full flight simulator. In addition, the centre offers fixed training devices for the 787-8, 757, 767, Next Generation 737 and the 737 MAX 8 as well as training on Boeing 717 and 757-200 full flight simulators at the nearby Burgess Hill facility.

Once the new annex is built, it will be Boeing’s largest site of this type outside the US. Boeing Flight Services is part of the new Boeing Global Services business unit, which was established earlier this month.