The 81,800-sf facility takes up half of a building belonging to SimuFlite Training International. The structure is designed for ready expansion that could add up to four more simulators in the necessary high-bay design for FAA-certified pilot and aircraft maintenance training, a Bombardier Aerospace source tells GlobeSt.com. But, those plans haven't taken flight in a finalized form as yet. Also under consideration is a plan to set up training centers at more US airports for other Bombardier products.

Six simulators in a high-bay room are now on line, each requiring 4,500 sf. The company projects 3,600 pilots and maintenance techs will be trained annually at the DFW state-of-the-art center, which will employ 70 people.

The center is tailored to Learjet 31A, Learjet 45 and Learjet 60 business jet operators. In 2002, training will be offered for the Challenger 604 and Bombardier Continental. Bombardier also operates a training center at Montreal International Airport for the Canadair Regional Jet airliner, Challenger 604 and Global Express business jet aircraft plus maintenance classes for the Canadair 415 amphibious plane. Some 2,700 pilots and maintenance technicians are trained annually at that facility.

Under the SimuFlite partnership, Bombardier is providing simulators, courseware, multimedia materials and instructors. SimuFlite is kicking in the building space, sales staff and simulator maintenance.

The DFW certified center is the result of Bombardier's plan to invest $47 million into the US investment over the course of two years, according to a company statement. The new center boasts 21 multimedia classrooms, 12 briefing rooms, three flight-training device rooms, the high-bay simulator room and technical library.