Embraer E2 Simulator Opens As Scoot Hopes For Steady E190-E2 Rollout

SINGAPORE—Embraer has officially opened the Asia-Pacific’s first E-Jet E2 full flight simulator at the Singapore Airlines Training Center, a development that comes ahead of the delivery of Scoot’s first E190-E2 in April. 

The CAE 7000XR simulator will support Scoot's pilot training as the LCC builds its E190-E2 fleet up to nine aircraft, and capture future operators of the E-Jet in the region.

The simulator is set up at the Singapore Airlines Training Center (SIATC) as part of a joint venture between Embraer and CAE under the Embraer CAE Training Services (ECTS). On top of Scoot, ECTS is also expected to receive pilot training requirements from Malaysia’s SKS Airways.

An Embraer instructor pilot said a typical conversion course covers 20 days, with eight simulator sessions lasting 40 hr.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Singapore Airshow, Scoot Chief Operating Officer Ng Chee Keong tells Aviation Week that Embraer will deploy its instructor pilots to Singapore to “train the trainer.” Scoot will primarily convert Airbus A320 and some Boing 787 pilots to fly the E190-E2 toward the end of February—in time for the aircraft’s arrival in the April-May time frame.

This also suggests that the delivery slid a few weeks from the initially planned March handover.

Some of Scoot’s cabin crews will also be trained across all three fleet types, giving the airline the flexibility to deploy staff across the network. An E-Jet door trainer is also installed at the SIATC.

Ng says the Embraer aircraft was picked for the 120-seat configuration, which the airline finds to be the most suitable design to serve lean and untapped destinations. Embraer’s ability to deliver the aircraft in 12-13 months was an additional advantage, as it allows the airline to quickly capture these markets ahead of competition, he adds.

Since its announcement in May that it plans to lease the nine E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot has been using the year to speak to partners such as ground handlers SATS, maintenance provider SIA Engineering Co.and destination airports to ensure they are ready for the new aircraft type in the region.

Keeping its destinations close to its chest, Ng says the aircraft’s introduction will be a slow one.

“We have got only two aircraft coming in back to back in the month of April-May, and we need to ensure that these two aircraft provide the mutual support and resilience,” Ng says. “It will be a slow start, but the tempo will increase as we become more confident operating the aircraft.”

Scoot also evaluated airports that could handle A320s in the event the E-Jets were unable to fulfill the route. Ng adds that Pratt & Whitney has assured Scoot that the E2's PW1900G engines will be the newest variant with improvements incorporated after the problems experienced by other E2 operators. Not taking any chances, Scoot has acquired spare engines from the start—an unconventional move for a small fleet.

A handful of aircraft in Scoot’s A320neo fleet were grounded due to the preemptive inspections of the PW1000G engines.