Simulator boosts training, lowers costs for Kenyan no-frills airline

Record ID: 1618178

  • Title: Simulator boosts training, lowers costs for Kenyan no-frills airline
  • Date: 26th May 2021
  • Summary: FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, JAMES STRONG, LOOKING AT INSTRUCTOR OPERATING SYSTEM STRONG INPUTTING SIMULATION CONDITIONS SIMULATED VIEW FROM COCKPIT OF DASH 8 PLANE TAXIING ON RUNWAY (SOUNDBITE) (English) FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, JAMES STRONG, SAYING: “You are able to put different scenarios, you are able to change the weather, you are able to put malfunctions if need be and a couple of other things. So you are able to control it and if need be, you are able to freeze simulation as it were.” VARIOUS OF VIRTUAL TAKE-OFF INSIDE THE COCKPIT AND AS SEEN OUTSIDE THE SIMULATOR COCKPIT STRONG GIVING INSTRUCTIONS
  • Embargoed: 9th June 2021 12:54
  • Keywords: Dash 8 Jambojet Kenya Airways flight simulator low-cost airlines
  • Location: NAIROBI AND ELDORET, KENYA
  • City: NAIROBI AND ELDORET, KENYA
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Africa,Company News Markets,Economic Events
  • Reuters ID: LVA002EELLGLZ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Chief Pilot Michael Kwinga of Kenyan low-cost airline Jambojet, climbs into a newly operational FlightSafety International (FSI) Dash 8-400 simulator.
    The airline's officials say it's the third of its kind in Africa, and it's been set up in Nairobi, where Jambojet's pilots, crew members, and other critical teams will train.
    The simulator is in operation now based on a 2019 deal between FSI, Kenya Airways, and Jambojet.
    Kenya Airways (KQ) is the country's national carrier while Jambojet is its no-frills subsidiary. FSI is among the world's leading producers of flight simulators.
    After the required checks, and under the watchful eye of Flight Inspector Joseph Strong, Kwinga "takes off".
    “You are able to put different scenarios, you are able to change the weather, you are able to put malfunctions if need be and a couple of other things. So you are able to control it and if need be, you are able to freeze simulation as it were,” Strong told Reuters.
    The simulator is also able to replicate sensations like those produced when accelerating for takeoff or during turbulence.
    Jambojet's new fleet of 5 De Havilland Canada DHC-8 aircraft - known as Dash 8 around the world - are a critical part of the regional airline's strategy to recover from the job and pay cuts it had to make as a result of the pandemic.
    The blow to African airlines after the COVID-19 outbreak was forecast at $40 million by International Air Transport Association (IATA) last year.
    During a media event held yesterday (May 25), Jambojet Acting Managing Director, Karanja Ndegwa said that "having the simulator closer to operations will improve efficiencies and reduce Jambojet’s operating costs by at least 10%".
    “Whenever the trainings are done outside you end up having lower productivity because of the travelling time outside there, and even sometimes missing the slots. Sometimes to get the slots was quite difficult, so when it is in here, it brings in efficiencies. The cockpit crew, pilots’ productivity is higher and it is cheaper in terms of you do not pay any hotels, you do not pay any travel,” he said.
    Kwinga and his colleagues will continue to train for the six destinations they currently fly to, and the company is making plans to expand its routes.
    "It has enhanced navigation system, it has enhanced visual system. So the learning experience for this particular simulator here in Nairobi is quite fulfilling. As a flight crew member, also as well who is based here in Nairobi, it means less travel time obviously, for me to be able to move from the working line operations and the line environment to come to their training environment at the ease of me just driving over here in Nairobi..." Kwinga added.
    Under the 2019 agreement, the simulator is also open for business to other industry players.
    “There are two African carriers who use the Q400 (simulator) who have signed up and they will be doing their training here. We also have one organization in Kenya that has also made their bookings for training here. So the cost savings are quite immense not only for us but especially for Kenyans around. Even individuals who want to do their training, do not even have to go out. They can come in and do their training in here,” said Ndegwa.
    Jambojet began operations in 2014.
    (Jackson Njehia, Okwi Okoh)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2021. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains computer game or software screenshots. User is responsible for obtaining additional clearances before publishing this clip.
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