Hawaiian Airlines Adds New Simulator for Pilot Training

Hawaiian Airlines will use a new state-of-the-art flight simulator that will be used at its corporate headquarters flight training facility.

The Airbus A321neo Full Flight Simulator will allow the airline to continue its Advanced Qualification Program for pilots using industry-leading technology as the airline prepares to introduce 18 A321neo aircraft to its fleet starting early next year.

Hawaiian Airlines at Kahului Airport. Photo by Wendy Osher.

“We are excited to invest in our in-house training facility by providing our pilots convenient access to another state-of-the-art simulator, which will also lead to significant cost savings,” said Jon Snook, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Hawaiian Airlines.

Prior to housing its own FFS, Hawaiian utilized third-party facilities in Florida. The FFS features 3D realistic detailing of different major airport scenes and environments including clouds, fog, storms, rain, snow, thunder, buildings roads, bridges, trees and cityscapes that are indistinguishable from the real world.

Hawaiian currently employs more than 600 pilots and anticipates hiring nearly 200 new pilots with the addition of the A321neo fleet.

The airline said it will take delivery of 18 new A321neo aircraft between the fourth quarter of 2017 and 2020, with the first flights scheduled to begin in January.

Training of pilots and instructors associated with the multimillion-dollar FFS will start next month.

The long-range, single-aisle A321neos will complement Hawaiian’s fleet of wide-body, twin-aisle aircraft used for flying between Hawai‘i and the U.S. West Coast.

The A321neo is considered the most fuel-efficient aircraft of its type and will seat 189 passengers in a two-class configuration (First and Coach) and have an operating range of 3,650 nautical miles.

In 2013, Hawaiian became the first Hawai‘i-based carrier to have an on-site FFS when it welcomed its A330 simulator.

The A330 wide-body aircraft has enabled Hawaiian to expand its domestic and international networks in recent years.